Ferrari, Chinese Guanyu Zhou Nuova Reserve of Leclerc and Hamilton

Ferrari has a new reserve driver. After concluding his adventure in Sauber, Guanyu Zhou will join Antonio Giovinazzi in the role of “Reserve Driver”, ready to take over from the owners Hamilton and Leclerc in case of need. The Chinese pilot had long been in the plans of Maranello and the good results obtained at the end of last season – where he beat his expert partner Valtteri Bottas continuously – convinced the leaders of the team to ensure it for 2025. Twenty -five years old, born in Shanghai , in 2014 Zhou was chosen by the Ferrari Driver Academy – the forge of talents of Maranello – after distinguishing himself with some podiums in the continental races of the trainer Rotax. Under the guidance of the Red, the Chinese toned the title of champion F4 before going to Formula 3 in 2016 and then in Formula 2 in 2019, together with the uni-virtuous team.

With the debut in the cadet category, he leaves the FDA to join the Renault Sport Academy program, with which he will debut in Formula One in the 2020 Abu Dhabi tests. From there the step is short and the Alfa Romeo (Sauber) hires him as a holder for The 2022 season next to Valtteri Bottas, becoming the first Chinese driver in the history of Formula Uno. Although Zhou has not been included in the future programs of the Swiss team, the driver’s management has pushed to prevent it from leaving the paddock, convinced that he could bring him back on the grid in 2026. According to several rumors, in fact, the Chinese would fall into the plans of Cadillac F1, American team that will be led by Graeme Lowdon, former consultant of Zhou himself next year. In this perspective, the American team has chosen to focus on Ferrari’s support – which will provide Power Unit and Change – for its debut in F.1 and Zhou’s decision to bind again to Maranello is certainly not casual.