Zhou unimpressed by Sainz: "We are waiting for him"
F1 News
Zhou Guanyu is one of many drivers out of contract at the end of 2024. The Chinese driver joined the Formula 1 grid in 2022, but is now fighting to keep his seat in 2025. However, he admits that his situation hasn't changed over the last few weeks, and cites Carlos Sainz as the reason.
Sainz taking his time over 2025 contract
Speaking to GPblog and others in the Silverstone paddock on Thursday, Carlos Sainz admitted he will not be discussing his future any more until he signs a contract for 2025. The Spaniard said that negotiations are demanding and stressful, so will be taking his time over choosing where to sign for 2025.
Sainz lost his dream drive at Ferrari when it was announced that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would join the Scuderia from the start of 2025. This kickstarted the driver market quicker than anticipated, but with seats slowly filling, options are starting to run out for Sainz and other drivers out of contract.
Zhou left baffled by Sainz taking his time
One driver who can't understand why Sainz is taking so long to sign a contract is Zhou Guanyu. His Sauber contract is up at the end of the season and has been rumoured to head to Alpine. Zhou was part of the Alpine/Renault academy before making his move into Formula 1 with Sauber. The 25-year-old, however, admitted in the paddock at Silverstone to GPblog and others that every team is waiting for Sainz.
"We're all waiting for Carlos to make decisions," Zhou said; "But we're continuing to speak to different teams to understand where I'm going. There's some interest, but we need to understand a little bit more clearly the picture once he makes his decision, and then we can talk more about that. Because also the team is waiting for him."
"Honestly, I feel it's a bit difficult to understand. Just because it's not that difficult to make decisions. You're not really making a decision of a team maybe fighting for a World Championship. You're making a decision between, let's say, a team that is a mid-runner team. I don't know what he's thinking, but we're just waiting for him."
Zhou believes that eventually, time will run out for Sainz if he doesn't make a decision soon: "At some stage, I think the team will have some deadline at least, because you can't be just waiting for him to make his mind up."
Despite having to wait for Sainz, Zhou admits he still has more than one option on the table for next season and that he remains confident in staying on the F1 grid in 2025.