Ferrari parts ways with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu

Field Level Media|published: 01/02/2026, 4:37pm EST

Nov 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Stake F1 Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu (24) arrives for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ferrari parted with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu of China ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.

The Shanghai native served as a backup for Ferrari last season following a three-year spell at the wheel of the No. 24 car for Sauber, with which he made 68 career starts from 2022-24.

Guanyu, 26, is the only Chinese driver to race full-time in F1.

"Grateful for Zhou Guanyu's commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season," Ferrari posted on social media Friday. "Wishing him all the best ahead."

Guanyu did not enter a race for Ferrari, whose primary drivers in 2025 were Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain.

Leclerc and Hamilton placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the final drivers' standings. Ferrari finished fourth in the 10-team constructors' table.

Guanyu, an alumnus of the Ferrari Driver Academy, was the 2021 Asian regional champion and proceeded to win Autosport's Rookie of the Year award in his maiden F1 season.

--Field Level Media