Zhou Guanyu shares his F1 ‘career highlight’ amid uncertainty over his Sauber future

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Zhou Guanyu could be contesting the last eight races of his Formula 1 career amid uncertainty over his future at Sauber for 2025.

With only two seats left on the grid, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Zhou will secure a full-time race seat at the teams that have openings.

Sauber is veering towards signing either Valtteri Bottas or Gabriel Bortoleto, while Visa CashApp RB has yet to announce its plans for Daniel Ricciardo or Liam Lawson.

Zhou has put his case forward for being a better option than Lawson, mainly citing his experience and knowledge that he has built on over his time in F1. But it remains to be seen if any team thinks he is capable enough to deliver the results they need.

Discussing his F1 career over the last three seasons, Zhou told Crash.net his highlights having been the first Chinese driver to compete in the World Championship.

Zhou Guanyu identifies the biggest highlight of F1 career so far

Zhou has been in talks with other F1 teams in a bid to rescue his chances of continuing beyond 2024, but any hopes appear to be fading and could result in him taking up a reserve role.

While his results have not been the most spectacular on the grid, owing to a difficult year for Sauber and uncompetitive cars the previous two years, he still has some special moments he can take away.

“I think the career highlight will definitely be the first grand prix [Bahrain 2022]. To score points on my debut was something I dreamed of, or something I couldn’t have imagined. So it was an honour to do that,” said Zhou.

“The Chinese Grand Prix was like having a childhood dream within F1 that comes true. Obviously, F1 is a dream but then to be racing at home where everything started, that was the Chinese Grand Prix back in 2004.

“20 years later to finally be representing that, that was another dream aside from F1 that I achieved that day. It was so crazy. The crowd and the atmosphere was there for me. I definitely can’t ever forget that day.”

The 2024 season was the first time the Chinese GP was held since 2019, owing to the COVID restrictions in the country.

Who will partner Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber?

If Zhou is unable to secure the seat at Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg, his current teammate Bottas will likely be in the running given his experience.

Bottas brings in a wealth of experience having raced for Mercedes while they were at the top of their game, although he was unable to match the results of Lewis Hamiton or challenge for titles.

READ MORE: Sauber would be making very surprising call if they opted for a five-podium F2 driver over Valtteri Bottas

There are no guarantees for Bottas of course, given Audi have ambitions to go into F1 with one of the strongest teams possible having signed Red Bull’s Jonathan Wheatley as team principal.

Mattia Binotto was recently spotted talking to F2 rookie Bortoleto at Monza, while Lawson could also be an outside choice if Red Bull allows him to join and gives him experience.