Ferrari Ends Zhou Guanyu's Reserve Driver Role

Ferrari has parted ways with Zhou Guanyu, ending the 26-year-old Chinese driver's role as one of its reserve drivers ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The announcement, made via social media on January 2, 2026, comes after Zhou spent 2025 in a support capacity at the Italian team, where he worked alongside Antonio Giovinazzi while the Italian continued his racing commitments in the World Endurance Championship.

Zhou joined Ferrari's reserve program last year following the conclusion of his three-season stint as a full-time racer with Sauber, which ended in 2024. His time with the team marked a return to familiar territory, as he had been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018 before progressing through junior categories and debuting in Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo in 2022. During his F1 career, Zhou became the first and only Chinese driver to compete in the series, partnering with Valtteri Bottas at Sauber. He accumulated 16 points over three years, finishing in the points in each season despite the team's frequent struggles with pace. Observers noted his consistency, as he occasionally matched or exceeded Bottas's results in a car that lagged behind the midfield.