Ferrari’s current third driver, Zhou Guanyu, has offered an inside look into the inner workings of the Scuderia and what makes the Maranello team stand out from the rest of the Formula 1 grid. After three seasons racing in Formula 1 with Sauber, Zhou’s full-time career was put on hold following the team’s decision not to renew his contract. However, in 2025, the Chinese driver has remained active in the paddock with a new challenge — serving as Ferrari’s reserve driver. For Zhou, this represents a homecoming of sorts, as he returns to Maranello nearly a decade after his time in the Ferrari Driver Academy. In a recent interview with PlanetF1.com, Zhou discussed his experience and the distinctive atmosphere he has found within Ferrari.
Comparing Hamilton, Leclerc, and Bottas
During the interview, Zhou revealed that despite their different personalities, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Valtteri Bottas share a surprisingly similar approach to their work. “I feel that the way all three of them work is very similar,” Zhou Guanyu said. “Of course, each has their own methods, but overall, I don’t see huge differences. It’s been enjoyable to observe and learn from that.”
The Chinese driver added: “Since the start of last year, I’ve managed to adapt quite well, and now, by understanding how Charles and Lewis operate, there are always things to watch, to learn from — and that’s very important for me.”
Stability and preparation time
One of the main differences Zhou Guanyu noticed since joining Ferrari is the level of focus and preparation that drivers can dedicate to race weekends. He explained that this level of attention was something he couldn’t experience during his time with Sauber. “Here, during a race weekend, you’re always fully focused on driving performance, and that’s exactly what I love,” Zhou Guanyu said. “At Sauber, I couldn’t really have that because when you have to deal with a lot of activities outside of working closely with your engineers, your mind starts to drift. Here, all we want is to focus on the driving.”
Another key factor Zhou Guanyu appreciates at Ferrari is the team’s stability. Unlike in his previous experiences, Ferrari’s structure has remained consistent, allowing the drivers to build strong relationships with engineers and technical staff and to keep improving certain aspects of performance over time.
“When I arrived here,” Zhou explained, “I realized how important it is to build that connection with the race team. You start from the basics — for example, Lewis [Hamilton] was a bit like me, new to this project. But then he arrived, stayed with the same people, and found his rhythm, adapting his driving style to the team’s way of working. That’s incredibly helpful in racing, because it’s so intense and focused, and you need that time to really get into the rhythm.”
Through his reflections, Zhou Guanyu painted a clear picture of why Ferrari remains one of the most admired and enduring teams in Formula 1 — a blend of focus, stability, and teamwork that continues to make the difference both on and off the track.
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