BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ferrari issued a public message of thanks to Zhou Guanyu after the Chinese driver departed the Scuderia at the end of 2025.
Zhou, 26, served as Ferrari's F1 reserve driver last year alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, who is also part of the Scuderia's program in the World Endurance Championship.
"Grateful for Zhou Guanyu's commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead," read Ferrari's message on Instagram.
Ferrari's message was shared by Zhou, with the driver replying: "Really appreciated all the trust throughout the season, see you guys around in 2026!"
Zhou made history as China's first F1 race driver when he signed for Sauber in 2022. The Shanghai native spent three years at the Swiss outfit before being dropped, after which he was picked up by Ferrari.
Zhou had hoped to return to the F1 grid in 2026 and was linked with a potential seat at Cadillac, but the team ultimately awarded its drives to Sergio Perez and Zhou's former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas.
With no open race seats in F1 or Formula E, it is unclear what Zhou's next move will be. The Chinese's best hope of a drive in a top-level series would appear to lie in the World Endurance Championship, though six of the eight Hypercar manufacturers in that series have already confirmed their drivers. ■
