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What Zhou Guanyu’s camp is saying privately about Sauber after leaving Formula 1

Posted on by Bobb
What Zhou Guanyu’s camp is saying privately about Sauber after leaving Formula 1

On Wednesday, it was officially confirmed that current Sauber drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas will leave the team at the end of the 2024 season.

The Swiss team is preparing for the final season under Sauber name in 2025, earlier Audi to join the sport as a factory team in 2026. The Hinvi-based team will have a new driver line-up for next season.

Sauber confirms Nico Hulkenberg’s multi-year contract Back in March, the team lured him away from Haas to become an Audi factory driver in 2026. Who the German’s teammate would be remained a mystery for months, with several riders in contention for the spot.

Zhou Guanyu of China and member of the Stake F1 Kick Sauber team walks in the paddock during the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Circuit José Carlos Pace in November...
Photo by Kim Illman/Getty Images

Current drivers Bottas And Zhou were unable to convince Audi that they should be kept and would eventually leave when their contracts expired at the end of the season. Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will join Sauber next year on a multi-year deal after they bought out his contract as a McLaren academy driver.

Bottas and Zhou joined Sauber in 2022 when they were known as Alfa Romeo, with Bottas joining the team after five years at Mercedes and Zhou arriving as a rookie after finishing third in Formula 2 the year before.

Zhou Guanyu’s management is “so disappointed” that he failed to “shine” in Formula 1.

The duo had a difficult three years with the team, especially Zhou. The Chinese driver has scored only 12 points during his time in Formula 1 – six in 2022 and six in 2023, and he and Bottas have failed to score a single point this season after 21 Grands Prix.

George Russell was the first Formula One driver to send a message to Zhou. after his departure was confirmed and many are now speculating where the 25-year-old will move to next in his career.

READ MORE: The life of Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu outside Formula 1: from heights to fortune

Despite his results being lacking, speaking on The Fast and the Curious podcast, Jenny Gou revealed that Zhou’s management were “so disappointed” that their rider was unable to show his true potential as the team failed to give him competitive competition . car for the last three years.

“I feel like he never really got into it. I think it was just bad timing at Sauber this year and last year,” she said.

“They didn’t have a competitive car and you talk to the guys who represent Zhou and they are so disappointed that he never got to prove himself.

“I think it’s just one of those things. You get a Colapinto and you get in the car and you shine, and Zhou never really shined.”

Zhou Guanyu wants to stay in Formula 1 as a reserve driver

With 65 Grand Prix appearances to his name (and up to 68 by the end of the 2024 season), Zhou’s future in Formula 1 likely points to a role beyond the full-time seat. The Chinese driver had his best result, finishing eighth at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix.

In a statement on social media, Zhou hinted that he was exploring other options in the Formula 1 paddock to remain in the sport to some extent.

Zhou may eventually join Alpine following news that they will ditch their engines to become a Mercedes team client in 2026, and financial support for the 25-year-old could help him secure his place.

Liberty Media can help Zhou will remain in Formula 1 given his popularity in Chinaas the sport’s owners worry whether they can remain relevant in the country without a home hero.

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