Chinese carmaker ‘driving factor’ in Zhou Guanyu’s future with £1bn F1 team

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The future of some drivers on the Formula 1 grid is still undecided and one of those is Chinese star Zhou Guanyu.

Although he has yet to pick up any points following a troubled start to the season for Sauber, Zhou enjoyed a lot of attention at his home race in Shanghai earlier in the season.

It was the first time F1 has visited China since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first time Zhou has taken part in his home race having previously attended it as a spectator when he was younger.

F1’s first full-time Chinese driver now faces a fight to stay in the championship, now that Sauber appears to be considering its driver options in anticipation of Audi’s takeover in 2026.

Nico Hulkenberg has been signed to the team while the team is reportedly trying to get Carlos Sainz as their next target now the Spanish driver is set to leave Ferrari at the end of the season.

This potentially leaves Zhou out of a drive, but according to Motorsport Magazin he could find refuge at another £1bn team on the grid.

Chinese carmaker could seal Zhou Guanyu’s move to Alpine

Alpine’s parent company, Renault, recently announced a joint venture agreement with Chinese carmaker Geely to design, produce and develop combustion power trains, hybrid systems, batteries and engines.

Zhou has previously been linked to Alpine having come through their young driver academy when he raced in Formula 2.

The Chinese driver is also an ambassador for Geely, with Motorsport Magazin reporting they are a “driving factor” that could seal his future at Alpine.

Alpine has yet to decide who their second driver will be for 2025 after announcing Pierre Gasly would stay with them on a multi-year deal.

Could Zhou Guanyu switch to Alpine?

The future of Zhou has been talked about since his ‘farewell’ at the end of the Chinese GP when the promoters allowed him to park on the start/finish straight and address fans in the grandstands.

It is unusual for a driver to receive recognition at their home race, least of all if they fail to score any points in the race. For many it felt like a tribute to Zhou, considering it could be his first and last home race in F1.

Alpine appears to be trying to court Sainz more than Zhou as their second driver, meaning any role for him within the team would likely be in a test and reserve driver capacity.

Alex Albon took up this role at Red Bull before returning to the grid with Williams having impressed in the simulator and in-season tests for the team.

It could be a stop-gap for Zhou if he wants to keep his F1 dreams alive, having also received attention from the Formula E chief who said he would welcome him to the all-electric series.