Ferrari F1 parts ways with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu after 2025 stint

Ferrari has bid farewell to its 2025 reserve driver Zhou Guanyu as the Chinese driver parted ways with the Maranello outfit ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Zhou joined Ferrari as a reserve driver alongside Antonio Giovinazzi in 2025 after losing his seat at Sauber at the end of 2024. He was also part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018.

"Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead," the team wrote in a social media post.

The 26-year-old driver had hoped that remaining in the F1 scene would help him secure a seat for 2026, with his main target being the new Cadillac F1 team, which will make its debut as the championship's 11th team this year.

“I do have the hunger to step back in a race seat, a full-time F1 drive,” Zhou told F1.com at the start of the 2025 season. “In terms of the long-term goal, this is very clear and very straightforward. I’m sure everybody knows that.

“But I do think that while you have years like this, [it helps] to be settled down, and still it’s a very important role. It’s not like being a reserve driver that I feel like I’ve been left [out]. I feel like I have a very [big] responsibility with the team.

Guanyu Zhou, Ferrari

Photo by: Erik Junius

“You’re there trying to win races, you’re still making your impact, so it’s very important, and everything really matters here. I’m still going to be working hard for that, but if there’s a chance, an opportunity, there’s no doubt I’m going to fight for it, for a comeback."

Cadillac instead opted to sign former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Zhou's former Sauber team-mate Valtteri Bottas, leaving Zhou once again without a contract for 2026.

Zhou is yet to announce his next career move after parting ways with Ferrari.