EXCLUSIVE: Zhou Guanyu on his Ferrari reunion, working with Hamilton and how he’s ready to fight for an F1 comeback

Zhou Guanyu has found a new, old home for the 2025 Formula 1 season by taking up reserve duties at Ferrari – the marque he previously represented as a junior. A few weeks on from that return, the Shanghai native sat down with F1.com to discuss life at Maranello, how much he’s learning from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, his hopes of getting back on the grid and more…

A new chapter in red

Red is a significant colour in Chinese culture. One of prosperity, energy, good fortune and happiness, amongst many other positive phrases – traditionally used for New Year celebrations and other special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

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It’s fitting, then, that Zhou Guanyu – decked out in Ferrari’s deep red team kit – has a huge smile on his face as we meet in the F1 paddock for a chat during pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.

In early February, he was announced as one of the outfit’s two reserve drivers – alongside fellow ex-F1 driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Antonio Giovinazzi – to support regular racers Leclerc and Hamilton.

It marks a full circle moment for the 25-year-old, who was part of the Italian manufacturer’s dedicated Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018 – a period in which he climbed the Formula 4 and Formula 3 ranks – before graduating to Formula 2 with Alpine backing.

While naturally disappointed not to embark on a fourth F1 term with Ferrari-powered Kick Sauber for 2025, of all the options subsequently available to him over the winter, it is clear to see that Zhou feels happy about the deal he has signed.

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“For me, it’s a great pleasure to join one of the most iconic teams ever in the paddock,” he says on Ferrari’s hospitality terrace, with a backdrop of cars pounding around the track. “It’s a different role this year, being a reserve, but I can still improve and keep the learning curve going.

“With the drivers they have this year, Charles and Lewis, I’m sure there’s plenty of stuff I can get involved in and learn from, as well as having my own impact on the team.

“I’m really happy that I’m here now, back to where I started all my junior single-seater racing, and also my Academy days. It’s been great to see a lot of familiar faces!”

Recovering from a “draining” season

Zhou made his F1 debut with the then Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team back in 2022, memorably scoring points in his first-ever race and establishing himself alongside multiple Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas.

It proved to be third time unlucky last year, though.

After an early highlight with his first Grand Prix outing on home soil in China, which involved a gutsy Sprint display, he spent many a weekend running toward the back of the field alongside Bottas – the pair unable to make an impression aboard the disappointing C44.

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It was not until the penultimate round in Qatar – aided by some much-needed updates – that a determined Zhou dragged his car to eighth position and scored Sauber’s only points of the campaign, at which point it was too late to save his seat.

Indeed, with former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto arriving as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer in the summer, and German automotive giants Audi preparing to take over the Sauber entry from 2026, the decision was made to part ways with both Zhou and Bottas.

The silliest of all silly seasons – triggered by Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari – meant stepping back to a test and reserve position was the best-case scenario for Zhou in 2025, but it is a situation he welcomes given the mental toll of the last 12 months or so.

“Like I always said, when there wasn’t a seat available on the grid, my priority was trying to find somewhere I’m happy, where I can put myself into an important role as well,” he continues. “There’s no better place to be than joining Ferrari.

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“On the other side of things, I’m happy that I can take a year ‘off’, mainly from the year I had in 2024, because it was draining inside and out.

“I feel like a lot of drivers have taken a step back and then [returned] to the grid, and certainly that’s a long-term goal. In the short-term, I’m just trying to be as good as I can with my role, and I don’t feel like it’s a step down.

“I want to use this year to really settle everything in the right place, also to have myself mentally in the best shape possible... I’m making sure that I’m in a happy place.”

Old and new faces at Ferrari

Contributing to that ‘happy place’ is Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, who served as Zhou’s boss at Sauber through 2022 before being signed by the Scuderia in place of the aforementioned Binotto.

An experienced leader who has drawn praise for his “hard but fair” and motivational approach behind the scenes, Zhou knows he is in good hands with the Frenchman.

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“I really enjoyed the first year I was at Sauber, and I really enjoyed working with Fred,” he says. “He’s been around the paddock long enough, so he knows the technical side of things, what drivers like, and how the drivers are as personalities.

“He knows so many race drivers and has worked with so many of them over the years, so that’s what really kept me having this confidence and trust [in] him – two years ago, but also now.

“It helps as well that Fred has worked with me, so he knows how I am as a person and a driver, which is very important. I was happy, of course, that the opportunity was there for me, and even happier that we’re now back together.”

So, how busy have Vasseur and Ferrari been keeping Zhou over the winter?

“Actually, the winter has been very chilled!” Zhou initially points out with another grin. “I was able to get a little bit of time off, not being so worried about preparations for the season, taking a step [away]… on that side, it was a good recovery from the season I had.

“When I came back after the winter break, I’ve been going to the factory quite often during the week, getting involved and trying to understand how the team works.

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“It’s completely different to what I’m used to. It’s still the F1 kind of spirit [you get] in every team, but it’s a different way of working, and a different environment. I’ve enjoyed it, but I still need to understand it a little bit more and get to know more people.

“It was a bit different being in the Academy [compared] to the [main F1] team, so I’m still learning day by day, but I’m already making some steps with the technical side and just trying to help in general. I’m sure things will [soon] come automatically.”

He adds: “I think with the number of inexperienced drivers on the grid [this season], for people like me, with a couple of years of experience in F1, that really can make an impact.

“I can use my experience and my knowledge from over the years in F1 and bring it to the team – on the track, and even in the simulator, which I’ve already tried.

“There will be plenty more stuff for me to be stepping into. Everything now is a starting point, so we don’t want to do too much at once. I think for the team and also for myself, we need to understand each other and how we like to work together.”

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Learning from Leclerc and Hamilton

Following that introductory period, Zhou realised a dream when he drove a Ferrari F1 car for the first time at the squad’s Fiorano test track earlier this month, leaving him well placed to stand in for Leclerc or Hamilton should it be required.

He will be on call at the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend, before alternating with Giovinazzi – who continues at the wheel of Ferrari’s Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship – for the remainder of the season.

Whether or not substitute services are required, Zhou is looking forward to working closely with a multiple Grand Prix winner in Leclerc and a seven-time World Champion in Hamilton as the campaign progresses.

“I’ve known Charles for many years, since the Academy [when] we were together, so now it’s great to just listen to his feedback and the difference he felt compared to the previous years,” he explains. “It’s more like I’m learning from him a lot, from what he’s used to.

“It’s very interesting with two drivers, because one has been here for a long time and the other one is coming from a different team where everything is completely different. It’s good for me, and there’s a lot of information I’m gathering.”

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Amid so much hype over Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, Zhou stresses: “He just feels like a team mate of yours – it’s as simple as that. It’s actually very easy. Lewis is a very humble guy, always asking the team for a lot of information.

“Even though he’s been a World Champion for so many years, he still wants to improve himself, which for me as a younger driver, I really felt that this is the way to go – also for myself in the future, if I can come back.”

Away from that pursuit of perfection at the track, there’s another interest Zhou and Hamilton share, with both known to enjoy a spot of video gaming whenever they have a moment to unwind.

Might this year present a chance to play together?

“For sure,” Zhou says with interest. “But I think Lewis plays different games to me. I think he’s more into Call of Duty and uses the PlayStation a lot, carrying it around the world. I’m more into computers as a Counter-Strike guy.

“I actually had a good time in Shanghai [during the winter break]. After the season finale in Abu Dhabi, I went straight to the biggest Counter-Strike event, playing in the final stages with multiple World Champions.

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“It was a bit like an F1 fan driving a car next to Lewis, that was my feeling! I was very nervous… I wanted to make sure I did well, because I love the game – I wasn’t too bad!”

Ferrari’s push for the title

Fresh from that quest for virtual glory, Zhou now finds himself part of a collective Ferrari bid to end an F1 title drought going back almost two decades – their last Teams’ Championship coming in 2008 and their last Drivers’ Championship (with Kimi Raikkonen) in 2007.

Although he is not in the hot seat, it is a goal Zhou last worked towards some four years ago, when he finished third in the 2021 F2 standings and won the F3 Asian Championship – having since settled for occasional points finishes at Sauber.

“One thing that’s very different is that here I think you will be happy with a victory, and where I was coming from, we were happy for points,” he comments. “You’re fighting for different positions, so for me it’s very, very exciting to be taken into that.

“Every driver wants to fight for victories, for World Championships – that’s how we grew up from our karting days all the way to F1. Obviously F1 is different, because there’s a lot of difference in the performance of the cars.

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“I do miss this experience of [winning]. Who doesn’t love to step out onto the podium? Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s a big change for me this year and I’m looking forward to it.”

Zhou’s hunger to race again

As our interview reaches its conclusion, another important question needs to be asked. Namely, what are Zhou’s chances of making a full-scale F1 comeback in the future?

One standout project is the all-new Cadillac Formula 1 Team, who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors and recently received final approval to join F1 from 2026 – expanding the grid to 22 cars.

Zhou knows very well the man at the helm, Graeme Lowdon, having been managed by the former Virgin Racing and Marussia F1 Team chief throughout his time in the sport – and is one of several names already being linked to a drive.

“I do have the hunger to step back in a race seat, a full-time F1 drive,” he states, without referencing any talks or possibilities. “In terms of the long-term goal, this is very clear and very straightforward. I’m sure everybody knows that.

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“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.

“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.

“Right now, I’m just excited to get the season started with my new role here at Ferrari. Who knows what the future will be? Let’s see…”

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