Zhou Guanyu parts ways with Ferrari: another chapter closes for Formula 1's sole Chinese driver

Ferrari has officially parted ways with Zhou Guanyu, marking the end of the Chinese driver's brief stint as a reserve driver for the Scuderia ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The 26-year-old's departure represents another setback for a driver who has struggled to maintain a permanent foothold in the sport's elite tier after losing his full-time race seat at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.

The split, announced via social media, came with measured words from the Italian team: "Grateful for Zhou Guanyu's commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead." However, beneath the diplomatic language lies a poignant reality—Zhou's calculated gambit to remain within Formula 1's ecosystem while pursuing a return to racing has yielded no tangible results.

A return to familiar territory

Zhou's appointment as Ferrari reserve driver for 2025 represented a homecoming of sorts. The Chinese driver previously spent four seasons (2015-2018) with the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, progressing through Formula 4 and Formula 3 ranks before graduating to Formula 2, where he demonstrated genuine promise with five race victories and twenty podium finishes across three seasons.

After departing the Ferrari Academy in 2018, Zhou made his Formula 1 debut with Alfa Romeo Racing in 2022, becoming China's first Formula 1 race driver—a historic milestone that carried considerable weight both competitively and culturally. Over his three full seasons in the championship (2022-2024), Zhou accumulated 68 Grand Prix starts, scoring 16 points and setting the fastest lap twice. His consistency and technical improvement marked him as a developing talent worthy of retention.

The 2026 disappointment

Despite Zhou's strategic positioning within Ferrari's operation, his aspirations for 2026 have been thwarted. The driver's principal target was Cadillac F1, the championship's new 11th team making its debut this season. However, the American outfit opted to sign former Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez and Zhou's former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas—a decision that effectively closed the most viable pathway back to full-time competition.

Zhou had articulated his ambitions clearly at the start of 2025: "I do have the hunger to step back in a race seat, a full-time F1 drive. In terms of the long-term goal, this is very clear and very straightforward." Yet the mathematics of the driver market proved unforgiving. With established names and proven commodities commanding the available seats, Zhou found himself overlooked despite his historical significance and technical capabilities.

An uncertain future

As of now, Zhou has yet to announce his next career move following his Ferrari departure. The Chinese driver faces a critical juncture—one where remaining outside Formula 1's full-time grid risks diminishing his competitive relevance and marketability. Whether Zhou pursues opportunities in alternative motorsport series, secures a role with another F1 team, or finds his way back through unconventional pathways remains unclear.

What is evident, however, is that despite his pioneering status and demonstrated ability, Zhou has been unable to establish the career momentum necessary to secure his position among the sport's elite. His Ferrari interlude, though professionally valuable, ultimately served as a temporary station rather than a launchpad for renewed F1 prominence.