Ferrari confirm driver departure ahead of 2026 season

January 6, 2026 Oliver Obel

Ferrari have confirmed that Zhou Guanyu will not continue as a reserve driver, marking an early personnel change as the team begins reshaping its Formula 1 operation for the 2026 regulation cycle.

The team announced Zhou’s exit in a brief message shared on social media, thanking the Chinese driver for his work during the 2025 season.

“Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead,” Ferrari wrote.

Zhou responded publicly soon after, posting:

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“Grazie! All the best & see you around!”

Ferrari have yet to say whether another reserve driver will be appointed before the 2026 season begins in March.

The move follows a difficult year on track for the Scuderia. According to SPORTbible, Ferrari entered the 2025 campaign with high expectations after securing Lewis Hamilton’s signature, but those hopes failed to translate into consistent results.

Hamilton endured a challenging first season with the team, finishing sixth in the drivers’ championship, 86 points behind Charles Leclerc. While Ferrari did not claim a Grand Prix victory all year, Hamilton did deliver the team’s only win in the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Ferrari ended the season fourth in the constructors’ standings, collecting seven podium finishes, all of them scored by Leclerc.

Zhou had joined Ferrari’s reserve driver line-up in February 2025, working alongside long-time backup Antonio Giovinazzi. In modern Formula 1, reserve drivers play a key supporting role, spending extensive time in simulators to assist with car development and race preparation.

During his time with the team, Zhou contributed simulator work related to the SF-25, providing engineers with feedback used across race weekends.

Before taking on the reserve role, Zhou spent four years in Ferrari’s Driver Academy. He later became the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1, racing for Alfa Romeo in 2022 and 2023. When the team rebranded as Kick Sauber, Zhou remained for the 2024 season but was released at its conclusion.

The 26-year-old leaves Formula 1 with 68 Grand Prix starts and 16 world championship points to his name.

Ferrari are expected to outline further staffing decisions in the coming months as preparations continue for the sport’s next technical era.

Sources: SPORTbible, Ferrari team statements

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