Following the announcement from Sauber that Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas will be leaving the team at the end of the 2023 season, it was revealed that Gabriel Bortoleto will join Nico Hülkenberg as the team's driver lineup for 2025 and beyond.

This marks the end of Zhou's three-year stint with the team, which began in 2022 when he made history as the first Chinese driver to race in Formula 1.

While Zhou's time at Sauber is ending, the memories he created, especially in his home country, will remain a lasting part of his F1 journey. After his Sauber drop, he released a statement reflecting on his achievements with Sauber.

The 25-year-old also expressed gratitude for the support of his fans over the years, especially during his memorable home Grand Prix in Shanghai in 2024. Although he narrowly missed out on points during the weekend, the emotional standing ovation from the passionate Chinese fans was a highlight of his career.

The statement on social media says: “I will be leaving Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at the end of the 2024 season.

“I would like to thank all of the fans for their continued support.

“You have been fantastic, and you continue to inspire me.

“I am immensely proud to represent my country as the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver.

“I hope that my racing continues to inspire others who are following my story.

“I am happy to have already achieved many things under difficult conditions in Formula 1, including scoring points in my first race, fastest laps and some memorable battles throughout the grid.”

Despite losing his seat, Zhou remains positive about his future in the sport. He is actively exploring opportunities to continue in Formula 1 and looks back on his tenure with pride. 

“Sadly, the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward.

“I am positive about the future, and I am now totally focused on making sure that I can truly show what I am capable of.

“I’m now discussing a number of options to stay in the Formula 1 paddock, will update you all soon.”

Earlier this year, Zhou expressed interest in taking on a reserve driver role if he is unable to secure a full-time position. Therefore, he may remain as a reserve driver at Sauber or consider opportunities with other teams.