Two extra items of the 2025 Formula 1 driver grid had been put into place on Thursday. Alpine introduced a brand new “multi-year” cope with Pierre Gasly, and Aston Martin confirmed a long-expected cope with Lance Stroll that extends into 2025 “and past.”
That information signifies that 12 of the 20 seats for the 2025 at the moment are solidified, leaving simply eight spots remaining on the grid. And for just a few drivers ready on their very own futures, which means maybe some extra stressed nights.
Zhou Guanyu is a kind of drivers.
The Sauber driver is ready to see his contract with the staff expire on the finish of the 2024 season, and with the staff already saying a cope with Nico Hülkenberg for subsequent yr, just one seat is out there for 2025. That may put Zhou able the place he’s preventing together with his present teammate Valtteri Bottas for that spot, however with that seat at Sauber one of many eight seats remaining, there might be different choices for the staff.
And extra competitors for Zhou.
Speaking at Thursday’s FIA Press Conference Zhou was requested about his future, and his choices. The driver outlined that in his thoughts, he needs to remain in Formula 1.
“For me, no. I’m simply speaking to the F1 groups at present. So it’s very clear. But in fact, [the World Endurance Challenge is] fascinating additionally as a championship,” said Zhou. “But for me, for the time being, it’s not an choice there for the time being. So nothing extra so as to add.”
Zhou additionally indicated that he can be prepared to take a place as a reserve driver, if it meant remaining in F1.
However, he would need to be certain that a return to the grid can be an choice.
“I imply, if it involves the case, clearly you have to see precisely the place the entire challenge [is going], as a result of I feel to be a reserve driver can be fascinating if they’ll promise a seat is out there for the approaching seasons,” added Zhou. “I feel that will be nonetheless one thing I can take, however in any other case you have to see precisely the place I need to, in fact, be heading over, as a result of I don’t need to be, in fact, as soon as you’re taking that function, some drivers by no means come again, which isn’t the case I wished to be at.”
