Zhou Guanyu has revealed that Audi’s 2026 arrival into Formula 1 has made his contract negotiations with Sauber “not easy”, due to the Chinese driver wanting a long-term contract.
Formula 1’s first Chinese driver is currently coming to the end of his current deal with Alfa Romeo-Sauber, which expires at the end of 2023.
Zhou is in a difficult position, given that Sauber’s F1 team will be taken over by Audi in 2026, with the German manufacturer set to gain a 75% stake in the outfit.
As a result, Alfa Romeo are ending their partnership with Sauber at the end of this season, meaning Sauber will likely be competing under their own name next season.
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Valtteri Bottas will continue with the team as his deal doesn’t expire until the end of 2024, although the expectation is that from 2025 onwards, Audi will start to have a say over the driver line-up.
Since joining F1 in 2022, Zhou has only ever been offered one-year deals, something he’s seemingly not wanting again.
He’s keen to have a secure seat for multiple seasons, something he arguably won’t have at Sauber.
Whilst his financial backing is a benefit for the Hinwil-based team, it’s not of real importance.
“That [a long-term F1 contract] is the target of course,” Zhou told media including RacingNews365.com.
“It’s not easy, because with, let’s say, Audi arriving and all these things, they need to take a little bit more time.
“But for me, of course, I do like to have a longer contract in order to be a bit more relaxed, rather than have a one-year contract.”
Zhou is many people’s favourite to remain with Sauber next season and presumably be offered another one-year deal, over the likes of Sauber Academy driver Theo Pourchaire, who is on the verge of claiming the Formula 2 title.
Aston Martin reserve and reigning F2 Champion Felipe Drugovich is another name who’s been linked recently to Zhou’s seat, suggesting that Sauber do have several options to consider.
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However, for Zhou himself, remaining at Sauber next season is his “priority” and is something he’s “very keen on”.
“At the minute, this is the priority,” Zhou said.
“There’s not a lot of seats available. I’m very keen on staying where I am.”