First China GP as Ferrari (reserve) driver for Zhou Guanyu: “Happy to be in red, helping the team and continuing to improve”. Zhou Guanyu will experience his first home GP with Ferrari.

Zhou Guanyu, a key figure at the Chinese GP
In 2024, Zhou Guanyu was one of the main figures in Shanghai—not so much for his results and performances, but as the first Chinese driver in history to compete in his home Grand Prix. He even had the chance to park his Sauber on the straight at the end of the race to receive a standing ovation from the crowd. This year, the 25-year-old will not be in the car, but he will still be one of the most closely watched figures of the weekend, wearing the red suit inside the Ferrari garage.

First Shanghai as a Ferrari (reserve) driver
“Returning to Maranello,” explains Zhou Guanyu, who this year is one of Ferrari’s reserve drivers, “is an incredible feeling, and I couldn’t be happier. I was part of the Academy as a junior driver, and having the opportunity to return now is something truly special for me. Scuderia Ferrari has always felt like home, and this reserve role allows me to contribute significantly to the team’s work while continuing to grow as a driver. It’s an exciting opportunity, and I’m very grateful to the entire team for it.” – he pointed out.

Zhou Guanyu and Ferrari’s growing popularity in China
Zhou Guanyu also spoke about the increasing interest of the Chinese public in Ferrari and F1: “The passion for Formula 1 and for Scuderia Ferrari has grown enormously, and it’s amazing to see how many people are becoming fans of the team. Ferrari has always had a special place in the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts, and now, with the global rise of F1’s popularity, more and more people are getting closer to our team. I would even say that being a Scuderia fan goes hand in hand with loving this sport. The energy, history, and passion behind the team make it incredibly easy for new fans to connect with Ferrari.” – he added.

The characteristics of the Chinese GP circuit
The former Sauber driver also described the features of his home circuit, where the second round of the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place on Sunday: “One of the most interesting aspects is that the layout is inspired by the Chinese character ‘shang,’ which means ‘at the top’ or ‘to ascend.’ The track is unique in its design, featuring a large number of esses combined with a mix of medium- and high-speed corners, creating a layout that allows for highly spectacular racing and demands remarkable technical precision. It’s a circuit that truly tests both driver skill and strategy, making it, in my opinion, an exciting track.”