Ferrari Parts Ways With Reserve Driver Guanyu Zhou After One Season

Ferrari has announced its split with reserve driver Guanyu Zhou after a single season, concluding the Chinese driver's short-lived return to the Scuderia. The move leaves Zhou's future in motorsport uncertain, while Antonio Giovinazzi is expected to continue as the team's primary reserve heading into the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

While reserve driver shuffles are common, this split marks a significant moment in Zhou's career following his difficult three-year stint with Sauber. For Ferrari, it signals a refinement of their driver support structure as they prepare for the major 2026 regulatory changes, placing their trust in the more experienced Giovinazzi for crucial development work.

The details:

• Zhou served as a reserve driver for Ferrari throughout the 2025 season, working alongside Giovinazzi, who also competes in the World Endurance Championship.
• The role marked a homecoming for Zhou, who was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018 before making his F1 debut with Alfa Romeo in 2022.
• His time as a full-time driver on the grid was challenging, amassing only 16 points across three seasons and finishing last in the 2024 drivers' standings.
• The separation was announced amicably on social media, with Ferrari thanking Zhou for his commitment and Zhou wishing the team well.

What's next:

Zhou's next steps remain unclear, with potential opportunities likely lying outside of Formula 1 in series like IndyCar or endurance racing. For Ferrari, the focus now shifts entirely to 2026, with Giovinazzi expected to continue providing valuable feedback from the simulator and at trackside as the team develops its new car under the next generation of regulations.