Zhou Guanyu has revealed how he became aware that Lewis Hamilton was moving to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season before the team officially confirmed the signing.
It was announced early last week that Hamilton had parted ways with Penni Throw and her management company Copper to reunite with long-time friend Marc Hynes.
That preceded the stunning revelation last Thursday that Hamilton will be departing Mercedes at the end of this year to commence a new venture in F1 with Ferrari.
Hynes is also involved in Zhou’s career, which prompted the Chinese driver to get in touch with his manager to confirm the building speculation on Hamilton’s future.
“I didn’t check that much [the reaction to Hamilton’s news in China] but people probably didn’t believe it, or 90 per cent of the people [didn’t believe it] when rumours came out,” Zhou told RacingNews365.
“I know Marc, which is his [Hamilton’s] kind of management together with me.
“I text him before it, so I knew he was signing, it was a fact. I didn’t tell anyone, but I was really shocked by the news.
“But I think the people back there [at Mercedes], it’s going to be even more shocking. I think as a driver, especially Lewis, I think he is seeing himself to retire as a Ferrari driver.
“It’s obviously very nice to have. I don’t blame him for having this kind of feeling.”
Hamilton had appeared destined to conclude his F1 career aligned with the Mercedes brand, having elected to sign a two-year extension with the marque back in August.
However, the Briton’s impending exit divulged that there were escape clauses incorporated that enabled Hamilton to negotiate a multi-year agreement with Ferrari from 2025.
“It’s very unexpected, most likely [I was] not expecting Lewis to retire as a Ferrari driver,” Zhou added.
“People love to be retiring as a Ferrari driver, especially the World Champions but he announced it at the beginning of this season, which is still another season to go with his team, which is certainly a shock.
“But exciting I guess for people like us just to understand so many things are changing in other teams.”
Zhou was speaking in London as Sauber hosted a launch event for its 2024 livery, which unveiled a striking carbon and green scheme to reflect new title sponsor Stake.
The Hinwil-based squad will run under the guise of ‘Stake F1 Team’ for the following two seasons ahead of its scheduled transition into a works Audi entry from 2026.
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