Ted Kravitz shares which Formula 1 star is now destined to become a reserve driver in 2025

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The 2025 Formula 1 is nearly complete with just RB and Sauber left to confirm their second drivers.

RB look set to decide on Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate after Singapore with Liam Lawson seemingly ahead of Daniel Ricciardo at this stage.

Sauber are yet to score a point this season and have taken their time deciding their second driver although not necessarily because they want to.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

Carlos Sainz was on Sauber’s radar for their final season on the grid before they become the Audi works team.

The Spaniard chose Williams instead and speaking on Ted’s Notebook, pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz shared what he had heard about the vacant seat.

With RB set to promote from within, every driver not confirmed for next year – both inside and outside of the F1 paddock – is putting their name forward to drive for Sauber even though they have the least competitive car.

Valtteri Bottas appears to be in pole position for the seat alongside Hulkenberg given his experience and knowledge of working with the team already.

F2 star Gabriel Bortoleto has put himself in a strong position after discussions with Mattia Binotto in recent weeks.

Kravitz believes that the other current Sauber driver – Zhou Guanyu – looks set to become a Formula 1 reserve driver in 2025.

After three seasons on the grid, the Chinese driver hasn’t done enough to earn a promotion to another team and Audi appear set to go in a different direction before their introduction to the grid in less than 18 months.

Ted Kravitz believes Zhou Guanyu is set to become a Formula 1 reserve driver in 2025

Talking after qualifying in Baku, Kravitz: “Zhou looking like his future in F1 is as a reserve driver for another team.

“He wants to stay in F1 in some role rather than going to another racing formula which is unlike Valtteri Bottas.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu’s life outside F1 from height to net worth

“If he doesn’t get this drive here next year which is the only one still available and he’s up against Gabriel Bortoleto by the way, the young McLaren driver, the Brazilian driver in F2.

“If it goes Bortoleto’s way, then Bottas wants to go and race in IndyCar, so that’s interesting.

“There’s other Finnish and Swedish and other Nordic drivers well represented in IndyCar.

“Gabriel Bortoleto, a young Brazilian driver, is up against Bottas for this seat next year, it’s up to Mattia Binotto and some negotiations to see who gets it.”

Ruth Buscombe explains why Zhou Guanyu is an ‘absolute animal’

Zhou has had a tough time this season alongside Bottas with the car out of its depth compared to the rest of the field.

Jacques Villeneuve questioned whether Sauber were even trying in Baku such was their lack of progression throughout the season.

This has made it hard for the 25-year-old to stand out and when his chances of retaining his current seat continued to dwindle, Zhou would have found it difficult to convince any other team bosses to take a chance on him.

Ruth Buscombe suggested that Zhou is an absolute animal at the start of races but when he’s starting so far down the grid in an underpowered car, that isn’t going to make much difference.

Zhou has also pinpointed his weaknesses in qualifying but at least managed to finish on the same lap as the leaders in Baku.