When Sauber confirmed that Gabriel Bortoleto will join Nico Hulkenberg as part of their driver line-up for the 2025 season, Zhou Guanyu, who has been with the team since 2022, was left without a seat for 2025.

The Chinese driver had a tough season, with the team struggling to be competitive. His best result was an eighth-place finish at the Qatar Grand Prix, which earned Sauber their only points of the season. However, by then, it was already confirmed that Bortoleto would take his seat for the next year.

For next year Zhou is open to taking on a reserve driver role, which he will most likely get at Ferrari, but hopes to return on the grid in 2026 when new rules come into effect.

He recently shared interest in joining Cadillac, which is set to join the grid as an 11th team after the upcoming season.

"I mean, I'm fully aware of, you know, that GM and also Cadillac joined the grid," said Zhou quoted by Motorsport Week.

"I think it's very good for the sport in general because, you know, a lot of people are always talking about having probably not enough seats for the people, the young drivers available.

"Clearly, I think we have a lot of young drivers for next year. And then, I think from my position, it's a great opportunity and a great chance for next season that I'm not having a seat.

"So I can probably think about what the future will be and try to have an opportunity there. So I'm aware of that."

He added: "But for me, my priority is trying to, like I always said, having another chance of coming back on the grid.

"So for me, I don't really have where I go, but if there's a chance to grab, I will absolutely take it. So let's see how the future is."