The return of the Chinese GP to the F1 calendar this year turned out to be a huge success. This was thanks to local hero, Zhou Guanyu. The Chinese driver, who races for Sauber, was the major factor why, over the course of the three-day event, a staggering 160,000 fans were present at the Shanghai International Circuit. However, according to Sky Sports F1 pundit, David Croft, this might as well be the last home GP in F1 for the #24 driver.
On the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Croft began by comparing WWE to the sport. He explained how F1 cannot look to keep drivers on the grid just because their presence might guarantee a commercial success for a particular Grand Prix.
Admitting Zhou‘s undoubted talent, the 53-year-old was moved by the scenes at the Shanghai International Circuit as the Chinese fans cheered on for their hero. That being said, in the back of his mind, he’s not able to see a future for the 24-year-old on the grid beyond 2024.
“I was thinking, ‘I hope this isn’t the last, and it might well be the last Zhou Guanyu for some time’. It’s because I don’t see where he lines up on the grid next year. I don’t see where there is a place for him,” added Croft.
Crofty’s bleak assessment of Zhou’s future might actually be spot on. The 2025 grid is going to see a massive overhaul given how fluid the driver market is currently. And with Sauber being re-born as an Audi works team in 2026, the chances of Zhou landing a race-seat are next to none.
David Croft believes that the doors will close for Zhou Guanyu in F1 after 2024
Croft went on to discuss the potential movement in the driver market as this season progresses on. In the middle of it all, the Briton strongly believes that despite Zhou’s caliber, he will be left out of the sport completely.
According to him, Audi will be competing to sign the likes of Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg to kickstart their era in Formula 1. This would most surely leave the Chinese racing ace without a seat for 2026. On the other hand, Mercedes will be looking to promote Kimi Antonelli into a full-time F1 role by then.
An emotional end to his first home race @ZhouGuanyu24 pays tribute to the Chinese fans #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/0dHSvrPcE0
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 21, 2024
Thus, shutting virtually all doors for Zhou. The closest thing to remaining a part of the paddock would be going back to Alpine. Zhou was an Alpine academy product and hence, those ties could be vital for him to salvage something out of his short F1 career so far. But even at Enstone, a race-seat is a slim probability.
Things could open up at Alpine, however, depending on how the silly season pans out. As things stand, there is a strong rumor in the paddock that Pierre Gasly is in negotiations with Williams for a possible move to the Grove.
