Zhou Guanyu, axed by Sauber, lands role as Ferrari reserve driver, supporting Hamilton and Leclerc from the sidelines

China’s Zhou Guanyu is set to join Ferrari as one of their two reserve drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The 25-year-old, who was released by Sauber at the end of last season after a three-year stint with the Swiss team, joins Italian Antonio Giovinazzi in this crucial support role. Zhou’s appointment marks a return to familiar territory, having been a member of the Ferrari driver academy from 2015 to 2018. He will now support race drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, bringing his experience to Maranello.

Reserve drivers play a pivotal role within F1 teams. They typically contribute through extensive simulator work, assisting the race team in perfecting car set-ups, particularly over race weekends. They also undertake selected testing duties, including critical tyre tests.

Currently, however, Ferrari is using Hamilton and Leclerc to conduct a tyre test for Pirelli at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with McLaren also testing with Lando Norris.

This test gives Hamilton more time to familiarise himself with his new team after crashing during a test in the 2023 car last week.

Both teams are assisting Pirelli with developing its 2026 tyres, with Ferrari utilising a 2024 car modified to simulate expected performance levels following the introduction of new engine and chassis rules next year.

On Tuesday, Hamilton completed 87 laps, Leclerc 86, and Norris, driving a modified 2023 car, an impressive 159 laps. Norris emerged as the fastest, followed by Hamilton and Leclerc. The headline lap times are not indicative of overall performance, as the drivers were executing different programmes.

Zhou scored 16 points for Sauber across 68 grands prix.

Giovinazzi has been part of the Ferrari driver roster since 2017. The Italian driver raced for Alfa Romeo from 2019-21, securing 21 points in 62 starts.