Zhou Guanyu didn’t opt for racing in another series in 2025 in the hope and chance of potentially securing F1 seat if not this year, but maybe in 2026.
While it is not clear or 100% known if Guanyu was offered seats in championships other than F1 for 2025, the Chinese racer opted out of taking the option in the hope to secure a seat in F1 in 2025 and even 2026 if it isn’t to happen this year in any form or way.
After he lost his Sauber drive, Guanyu was linked to a reserve role at Ferrari, but thus far nothing has been confirmed. The Chinese racer could have joined WEC and or IndyCar but didn’t go for it as such. There is Formula E to move into as well, but nothing was taken up even if offered.
“Actually, 2025 for me, I kind of decided not to take another series, just because I feel like with so many doors that could be potentially open, not just during this year, but also next year, I want to make sure if there’s a chance for me in case, to be stepping back into seat for one race or not, but I’ll be fully here to do so,” said Guanyu.
“So that’s very important. But I also do feel like, we talk about, you want to keep the momentum of racing going on. But if you take this one year off, I think you’ll be OK on that. I think more than one year, then you start to have a little bit of losing this momentum. So for me, I think I’ll be just making sure, I mean, in the next chapter, in a very happy place, that I can be fully aware that having a possibility to return here on the grid because I think this year didn’t really show my full potential yet.
“I want to have definitely another chance if there’s an occasion on that. So let’s see,” summed up Guanyu, who may have links with Cadillac outfit, who are to join the F1 grid from 2026 onward. The outfit announced Graeme Lowdon as its team principal, with the Brit also a manager of the Chinese racer in the time in F1.
“I mean, I’m fully aware of, that GM and also Cadillac joined the grid,” said Guanyu. “I think it’s very good for the sport in general because a lot of people are always talking about having probably not enough seats for the people, the young drivers available. Clearly, I think we have a lot of young drivers in 2025.
“And then, I think from my position, it’s a great opportunity and a great chance for 2025 that I’m not having a seat. So I can probably think about what the future will be and try to have an opportunity there. So I’m aware of that.
“We need to still go through a bit more further details on that. But for me, my priority is trying to, like I always said, having another chance of coming back on the grid. So for me, I don’t really have where I go, but if there’s a chance to grab, I will absolutely take it. So let’s see how the future is,” summed up Guanyu.
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