Guanyu Zhou’s Formula 1 career appears to have come to a definitive end: Ferrari is parting ways with the Chinese reserve driver after just one season.
Ferrari is parting ways with reserve driver Guanyu Zhou after just one season. The 26-year-old Chinese driver, who was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018, was signed as a reserve driver at the end of 2024 after losing his regular cockpit at Sauber.
Now Zhou’s Formula 1 career appears to be over for good. “Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! We wish him all the best for the future,” the team wrote in a social media post on Friday.
Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead pic.twitter.com/mxmyYlW0O6
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 2, 2026
The 26-year-old had hoped that his presence in the Formula 1 environment would improve his chances of securing a cockpit for 2026. His main focus was on Cadillac’s new Formula 1 team, which will enter the premier class this year as the eleventh racing team. “I definitely have the hunger to get back into a race car, to get a full-time cockpit in Formula 1,” Zhou told F1.com at the start of the 2025 season. “As far as the long-term goal is concerned, it’s very clear and very straightforward. I’m sure everyone knows that.”
“But I also think that in years like this, it helps to settle down, and yet it’s a very important role. It’s not like I feel left out as a reserve driver. I feel like I have a very big responsibility within the team.”
“You’re there to win races, you continue to make your mark. That’s why it’s very important, and everything counts here. I’ll continue to work hard for it. But if there’s a chance, an opportunity, there’s no doubt I’ll fight for it – for a comeback.”
However, that didn’t happen in the end: Cadillac decided to sign former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and ex-Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas. This means that Zhou is once again without a contract for 2026. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Chinese driver after his departure from Ferrari.
