Shanghai, March 19 (NationPress) Zhou Guanyu has secured a new position for the 2025 Formula 1 season by stepping into a reserve role at Ferrari, the team he previously raced for during his junior career. As he prepares for his return at the China Grand Prix, the Chinese driver reflects on the challenges of not having a seat on the grid this season.

Zhou made his F1 debut with the former Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team in 2022, famously scoring points in his inaugural race and establishing himself alongside the seasoned Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas.

However, last year brought significant challenges. Following an early highlight with his first Grand Prix on home turf in China, which featured a bold Sprint performance, he often found himself near the back of the field with Bottas, both unable to make an impact in the underperforming C44.

It wasn't until the penultimate race in Qatar that Zhou managed to bring his car to eighth place, scoring Sauber's only points of the year, but by then it was too late to secure his seat.

“As I have always said, when there was no seat available on the grid, my focus was on finding a place where I could be content and contribute meaningfully. There's no better opportunity than joining Ferrari. Additionally, I’m pleased to have a year 'off' after the exhausting season I had in 2024,” Zhou noted in an interview with F1.com.

While not competing on the grid, Zhou is enthusiastic about collaborating with legendary F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

“For me, it’s an incredible honor to be part of one of the most iconic teams in the paddock. The reserve role is different this year, but it allows me to continue improving and learning. With drivers like Charles and Lewis, I am confident there are numerous opportunities to gain insights while also making my own contributions to the team. I am thrilled to be back where my journey began in junior single-seater racing and my Academy days. It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces!” he added.