F1 News: Zhou Guanyu Faces Pressure as Sauber Contract Decision Approaches

Zhou Guanyu is facing significant pressure as he aims to secure his spot on the Formula 1 grid for the 2025 season with Sauber .

With the team set to transition to Audi in 2026, the uncertainty surrounding his future is palpable, especially since Sauber has already locked in Nico Hulkenberg for a long-term contract.

Competing for the second seat, Zhou is up against his current teammate, Valtteri Bottas, and several other candidates.

The recent changes in Audi's management, particularly with the appointment of former Ferrari leader Mattia Binotto, have intensified the competition for the coveted position.

In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365 Zhou reflected on the driver market:

“I don't feel there were any surprises with the announcements people were having."

“For me, we're talking about it, and it's clear here, there's a seat available, but obviously there are drivers fighting for it, and I'm one of them. So it's going to be up to the performances, I can show in the next few races."

As the season progresses, Zhou views the upcoming races as critical opportunities to demonstrate his skills and make a strong case for his continuation with the team.

“For me, I still have eyes on F1. I don't feel like it's time yet for me to step into a different championship.

“I feel once you step into that, it's difficult to make a comeback - almost impossible."

“You either step away, not do anything, or you just do another championship and have a different career to finish it off.

“So of course I want it to be the first [choice] which is the one still involving this championship. We’ll see in the end what we’ll do.”

With the shift to Audi on the horizon, he knows that delivering impressive performances is essential to his chances of remaining in F1.

Zhou has expressed that he is not considering options outside of Formula 1, believing that a move to another racing series could effectively end his career in the sport.

His focus remains solely on securing a place in the next season, emphasizing his commitment to F1.

After a disappointing finish in the Dutch Grand Prix, Zhou is eager to improve as the series heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.

The driver market remains competitive, with other notable names like Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Logan Sargeant also yet to finalize their contracts for 2025.