Ferrari has announced that Zhou Guanyu has departed his role as the team’s test and reserve driver ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 season.
Having lost his race drive with Sauber at the end of 2024, Zhou returned to Ferrari, the side whose academy he was in between 2014 and 2018.
Zhou served in a reserve role alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, who combines his duties with a Ferrari drive in the World Endurance Championship.
The Chinese racer hoped that retaining a presence in the paddock would help his chances of landing a seat with the new Cadillac team in 2026.
But despite his manager Graeme Lowdon being Cadillac’s team boss, the American marque decided to go with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Zhou had revealed prior to his return to Ferrari that he wanted to avoid being consigned to a reserve role should a full-time seat not be attainable.
“In Formula 1 you need to be very quick, efficient, and if there’s a chance to grab, if you continue to wait, you could be a third driver forever. That’s not the case I want.”
READ MORE – Exclusive: Zhou Guanyu reveals approaches from multiple F1 teams prior to Ferrari return
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