As F1’s hectic foolish season is nearing its conclusion earlier than the summer season break, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Sauber’s Zhou seem like the 2 most definitely victims to overlook out on a seat when the music stops.
Like Sauber team-mate Valtteri Bottas, Zhou is ready for Carlos Sainz to announce his subsequent transfer, however he cannot flip to the type of race-winning pedigree and expertise that would land his veteran team-mate a seat at Williams or an prolonged keep at Sauber, which turns into Audi in 2026.
It’s not inconceivable Zhou may one way or the other keep at Sauber too, and he is additionally an outdoor contender at Alpine, however he is beneath Sainz on the shortlist at each squads.
The opening at Haas seems to have closed, with Alpine exile Esteban Ocon broadly anticipated to grow to be Oliver Bearman’s team-mate in 2025.
In an unique interview with Motorsport.com/Autosport, Zhou stays upbeat about his choices, even when having his future successfully determined by Sainz is an uncomfortable place to be.
“I would not say 100%, however I would say there’s an opportunity for me,” Zhou advised Autosport/Motorsport.com. “I simply do not know precisely the place as a result of it relies upon the place Carlos finally ends up.”
Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Crew Kick Sauber, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari
Picture by: Motorsport Photos
Zhou’s case is not helped by Sauber’s enduring struggles which have left it as the only group with out factors on the midway level of the season.
The Swiss-based outfit had probabilities to attain within the opening leg of the season, however points with its pitstops and different reliability gremlins meant it did not capitalise on these. And as soon as Sauber obtained its issues beneath management, it had already began lagging behind within the improvement race.
It had the slowest automobile of the sector from Miami to Canada, and has solely not too long ago been in a position to combine it up once more with the remainder of the midfielders, lacking out on the mandatory qualifying tempo to begin races on the entrance foot.
Amid these efficiency woes Zhou too struggled with Sauber’s new Imola chassis, however reverting to the unique chassis has taken away among the excessive sensitivity over bumpy circuits which affected the Chinese language’s driving model specifically.
Sauber’s efficiency stoop could not have come at a worse time because the 25-year-old fights for his F1 future, however he hopes groups have seen sufficient of him to offer him one other shot.
“On paper it is troublesome to see as a result of it has been a difficult season, however when it comes to driving, how I put together myself, how I talk with the group, I’ve positively made quite a lot of progress and have been working higher than earlier than,” he claimed.
“All people can see lot of telemetry and information, additionally listening to your radio through the race.
“If there’s an issue, I’ve the sensation and really exact suggestions to assist the group’s improvement.
“I am at all times on the lookout for each element I can enhance as a driver, however on the finish of the day, the one factor I you are able to do is give it all the things you bought and see what the long run brings.”
Zhou Guanyu, Kick Sauber C44
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
At Sauber the main focus of its senior administration is absolutely on getting ready Audi’s works entry in 2026, which comes with manufacturing unit energy models and a big funding from the German large.
It appears inevitable that this long-term pondering is hindering short-term progress and hurting present drivers Bottas and Zhou.
Zhou admitted to “not seeing the advantages” for the group’s present marketing campaign but, however stated he understood Audi CEO Andreas Seidl must act now for the group to be within the strongest potential place in 2026.
“That is positively a season the place there’s quite a lot of change occurring, not simply on the race monitor, but additionally again within the manufacturing unit,” Zhou stated.
“There are individuals leaving and other people coming in with new roles.
“In the event you take a look at the preparations for 2026 it’s positively useful. However after all, I am nonetheless residing on this season and I do not see a profit for this season, that is for certain. it does not make life simpler for the season we’re having.
“It is a difficult state of affairs, however we knew it was going to occur sooner or later this 12 months or subsequent 12 months, simply because you possibly can’t actually make modifications in 2026, they should occur earlier than.
“However from my aspect I will give all the things. The consolation was again in Barcelona, I am feeling much more motivated coming right into a race weekend simply because I felt very misplaced in these races since Imola.
“Now we’ve got discovered a method round that which I am actually proud of. Issues are again in the suitable route and hopefully getting the outcomes we wanted. I want to enhance qualifying, it is clear that that is my foremost focus.”
Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Crew Kick Sauber, will get emotional on the grid after the race
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
If 2024 does find yourself being Zhou’s third and remaining F1 season, no less than he can have realised two childhood goals.
One was to grow to be a Components 1 driver, the opposite to race on dwelling soil in China. Following an agonising pandemic-related wait, Zhou earned contract extensions to lastly tick off the latter in April, resulting in emotional scenes in Shanghai as a packed circuit greeted its hometown hero.
“That race was very emotional and probably the most wonderful and proud second in my entire profession,” Zhou stated as he perked up.
“After giving all the things for 3 years it might have been an actual disgrace if I missed out with out having lastly getting a house race, however it lastly occurred.
“Locations like Silverstone and Zandvoort have been at all times very particular for me, simply to really feel the gang assist their dwelling heroes. Lastly having that reception myself in China, or much more than that, it was simply unbelievable.
“I felt so nervous as a result of it was my dwelling race and the primary time on the market driving a single-seater, however as soon as I sat within the cockpit, I simply felt the power the entire crowd was giving me.”
“I am actually pleased that I used to be in a position to obtain each single a part of this dream as a child, however after all I need to return to expertise that once more for a few years and now I am simply desirous about my future.
“Let’s have a look at the place I find yourself. I nonetheless stand an opportunity.”