Axed star confident of F1 RETURN as key date named......

Axed star confident of F1 RETURN as key date named……read more

A Formula 1 driver who has been axed for the 2025 season remains optimistic about his future in the sport, hinting at a potential return in 2026. The driver in question, Zhou Guanyu, faces an uncertain future in F1 after being dropped by Sauber, the team he has been with since 2022 when they raced under the Alfa Romeo name. Despite not having a seat secured for the upcoming season, Zhou remains confident and determined to return to the grid at some point.

The 2024 F1 season saw major changes in driver lineups across the grid, especially after Lewis Hamilton’s surprise announcement that he would move to Ferrari for 2025. His switch sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock, prompting many teams to begin planning for the next season much earlier than usual. This early start to what is often referred to as “silly season” led to several key driver changes, with many familiar faces being left without a seat for 2025 and beyond.

One of the biggest shakeups came when Williams replaced Logan Sargeant with the young Franco Colapinto, and Red Bull decided to part ways with fan-favorite Daniel Ricciardo in favor of bringing back Liam Lawson. These moves further disrupted the driver market, leaving many without a clear future.

For Sauber, the 2025 season will see a complete overhaul of their driver lineup, with Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto set to replace the current pairing of Zhou and Valtteri Bottas. Despite this, Zhou is adamant that his story in Formula 1 is far from over. The 25-year-old Chinese driver posted a video on F1’s official social media account, sharing his thoughts after what could have been his final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Zhou expressed his belief that, while his current situation is uncertain, he still has the potential to return to F1, either in the 2025 season or possibly in 2026.

He stated in the video, “My emotion is a bit different from some of the others probably because I still feel like with where I am now and what I was able to show or have the car to do, I still have a chance, a possibility of coming back, if not next year, but 2026.” Zhou went on to explain that he was waiting for the right moment and felt that his Formula 1 journey was not yet finished. He emphasized the importance of staying prepared and ready for a potential comeback.

Although Zhou’s future in F1 is currently unclear, his statement reflects the hope and resilience that many drivers share, believing that the door is never fully closed in motorsport, and that opportunities for a return can come when the timing is right.