Zhou Emerges as a Potential Replacement for Ocon at Alpine for F1 2025
The Formula 1 transfer market for the 2025 season saw significant movement in the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, with the announcement of Esteban Ocon’s departure from Alpine at the end of the year and Sergio Perez’s contract renewal with Red Bull for the next two campaigns. While Perez secured a highly coveted seat, the Enstone team presents a promising opportunity for those left without options, such as Guanyu Zhou, as he or Valtteri Bottas, if not both, may have to make way for Nico Hulkenberg.
Here is the Formula 1 grid for the 2025 season:
•
Formula 1: How the F1 grid looks for 2025 – confirmed drivers and options
When asked whether he would consider returning to the French team where he gained experience before signing with Alfa Romeo, Chinese driver Zhou expressed his willingness, ruling out the possibility of being a reserve driver during a “sabbatical year.” Ahead of hitting the track at the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, Zhou stated, “Yes, I think all the seats are still available, there is always an option, and of course, as I have mentioned in the past, I have always had a very good connection with Alpine.”
“They helped me to have the opportunity maybe before Formula 1, and I am very grateful to have joined Alfa Romeo and have the option, so now I am open to all the teams that are discussing my future, but nothing is confirmed,” he added. “I feel there should be a place for me in the future on this grid, but I don’t know where.”
When presented with the idea of spending a season on the sidelines waiting for another chance, Zhou responded, “I don’t want to be a reserve, I don’t want to take a sabbatical year, at this stage of my career, I don’t want to take a sabbatical year because in Formula 1, when you take one, it’s hard to come back. Simply because you’re not competing at such a high level and every season, the cars change, and you have to adapt to understand something different, so my choice is to try to secure a seat for the upcoming campaign, being a reserve is not an option at this time.”
Don’t miss the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix:
•
Formula 1: Schedule for the 2024 F1 Canadian GP and how to watch it on TV
Do you want to stay ahead of the news and for free? Follow us on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, right at your fingertips!