Zhou Guanyu believes Kick Sauber exit comes at 'the right time’ as he eyes F1 stay in reserve role

Zhou Guanyu says his exit from Kick Sauber has come at “the right time,” as he targets a reserve role with another Formula 1 team to keep his connections to the championship.

Kick Sauber announced after the last event in Sao Paulo that Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto will join veteran Nico Hulkenberg in 2025.

The news ended months of speculation over who would occupy the second Kick Sauber seat, with the team’s refreshed line-up leaving Zhou and team-mate Valtteri Bottas facing an exile from the Formula 1 grid.

“Of course as much as I would have liked to and wanted to stay for next season, also I feel like it’s the right time after the tough races we’ve had this year and to start, let’s say, a new chapter,” Zhou said ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

“For me, at the moment of course I’d still love to finish in the season in the best way we could.

Zhou looking to stay in F1 after Kick Sauber disappointment

“There’s a lot of discussions about the future already. The absolute priority is to try and stay in Formula 1 and try to see what the best options [are], [and the] best team for me to be taking the reserve role.

“Nothing’s decided – there’s a lot of interest from different teams. For me, there’s no rush on that. I need to see exactly what the plan is and what I want it to be in the situation or position of the team but we’ll have to see that. Hopefully I’ll get some good news soon, but it won’t be very shortly.”

Expanding further on his desire to hold a reserve role in 2025, Zhou said: “Obviously I feel like I’m quite young in the sport, having a good experience. Having a lot of rookie drivers coming to Formula 1 next year, you never know. Seats can easily go right or wrong for people so it definitely opens a little bit of market to continue to stay here [in Formula 1], waiting for another chance and another shot.

“I do feel after a very frustrating season, it’s the right time to take one year away to come together in the next journey, next chapter. For me, obviously I’m looking for that option, looking for where I’m going and nothing’s been decided fully yet.”

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 01: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber and Zhou — Both Bottas and Zhou will be leaving Kick Sauber at the end of the season

Zhou and Kick Sauber have endured a troublesome final season together, with his 11th place result at the opening event in Bahrain still his best finish of the campaign.

But he emphasised that, despite a trying season, he has fond memories of his three-year spell with the team, including becoming the first Chinese driver to race at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier in 2024.

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“My debut – I still remember that day, it was very special,” Zhou began when listing his highlights. “Then I think probably after that, the second year, qualifying P5 in Budapest. That was just feeling like everything was coming the right way, and then this year I think the highlight would be the home race just because the event itself is very special in a way.

“If I were to pick one special moment I would definitely go for the home race, not just because of the result or anything like that. The atmosphere, the feeling inside myself over that whole weekend, it’s just so different to other places. I’ve dreamed of being in this paddock but when you’re here, it’s a bit frustrating that there was no home race for two years. I worked so hard to get a home race and you see the crowd, how motorsport is growing back home – I’m just very proud of that and that was very memorable.”