BREAKING: Ferrari CONFIRM line-up Change as F1 Driver axed Ahead of 2026 Season… Read more

Ferrari confirm line-up change as F1 driver axed ahead of 2026 season

 

By Hugo Harvey

Ferrari have officially confirmed a change to their driver structure ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, announcing that Zhou Guanyu will no longer continue in his role as the team’s reserve driver. The Scuderia confirmed the decision on Friday morning via their official social media channels, bringing an end to Zhou’s one-year stint as back-up to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

In a brief statement, Ferrari thanked the Chinese driver for his contribution, writing: “Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead.” The announcement signals another significant reshuffle behind the scenes at Maranello as Ferrari prepare for a major regulation overhaul in 2026.

Zhou joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season after losing his full-time Formula 1 seat with Sauber, where he spent three seasons on the grid. His move to Ferrari was widely seen as an opportunity to remain embedded within the F1 paddock while offering the Italian team additional depth and commercial reach. However, his tenure as reserve driver ultimately proved to be short-lived.

Giovinazzi firmly established as preferred reserve

Throughout the 2025 season, Zhou shared reserve duties with Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari’s long-standing simulator and development driver. Giovinazzi, who combines his Ferrari F1 role with a full-time World Endurance Championship programme, was consistently viewed as the preferred option should Ferrari require a stand-in driver during a race weekend.

That pecking order became particularly evident at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, when Charles Leclerc missed media day due to illness and his participation in the weekend was briefly in doubt. Despite Zhou being present at Imola, it was Giovinazzi who was placed on standby to step into the car if required, underlining Ferrari’s internal hierarchy.

Giovinazzi’s deep technical familiarity with Ferrari’s systems, coupled with his recent success in endurance racing — including a World Endurance Championship title alongside Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado — made him the logical first choice. Zhou, while capable and experienced, increasingly appeared to be viewed as secondary cover rather than a genuine contender to race if circumstances demanded it.

Commercial value could not secure long-term future

Beyond on-track considerations, Zhou’s presence at Ferrari also carried significant commercial appeal. As China’s first and only Formula 1 driver to date, the 26-year-old remains a major sporting celebrity in his homeland, attracting substantial backing from sponsors and partners. That commercial influence was widely believed to be one of the factors behind Ferrari’s decision to bring him in as a reserve driver in the first place.

However, Ferrari’s decision to part ways suggests that sporting priorities and long-term strategic planning have taken precedence as the team looks ahead to a new era of Formula 1. With sweeping technical regulation changes coming into force in 2026, Ferrari appear keen to streamline their driver operations and maintain continuity around personnel they view as most aligned with their future direction.

Uncertain future for Zhou Guanyu

Zhou’s next move remains unclear, though he has hinted that his time in the Formula 1 paddock may not yet be over. In a short message posted on Instagram following Ferrari’s announcement, Zhou wrote: “Really appreciated all the trust throughout the season. See you guys around in 2026.” The wording has fuelled speculation that he could seek another reserve or development role elsewhere, or potentially explore opportunities outside Formula 1 while remaining close to the sport.

Hamilton future looms large at Ferrari

While Zhou’s departure closes one chapter, it also refocuses attention on Ferrari’s broader driver situation heading into 2026 — particularly the future of Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion endured a deeply frustrating first season with Ferrari, failing to score a podium as his long-awaited move to Maranello fell well short of expectations.

Hamilton, who turns 41 next week, is understood to have a contract clause allowing him to unilaterally extend his stay with Ferrari into the 2027 season. However, there is growing uncertainty over whether he would choose to activate that option if results do not improve significantly under the new regulations.

With Ferrari committing to Charles Leclerc as the cornerstone of their future and reshaping their support structure around him, the pressure is firmly on Hamilton to rediscover his form in 2026. If he fails to do so, the upcoming season could represent the final chapter of one of the most illustrious careers in Formula 1 history.

As Ferrari continue to refine their plans for a new era, Zhou Guanyu’s exit serves as a reminder that sentiment and commercial appeal can only go so far in a sport driven relentlessly by performance and long-term vision.

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