With Zhou Guanyu’s future currently unknown, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has said he’d ‘love’ to have the Chinese driver on the grid.
Zhou is yet to score a point so far in 2024 and there is uncertainty over whether he will have a seat on grid next year.
The driver who’s now been with the Sauber team for three years, has scored 12 career points and a best of 18th in the drivers championship in both 2022 and 2023.
Zhou, who is the first Chinese driver to compete in a Formula 1 World Championship race, could depart from the sport after his three year stint with Nico Hulkenberg expected to replace the driver.
Despite a second Sauber driver yet to be announced for next year, it’s more likely that the team will retain teammate Bottas than Zhou.
However, a potential door has opened for Zhou should he not find a seat elsewhere on the grid with the Formula E CEO in favour of the Chinese drivers entry to his championship.
Dodds has said in an interview that China is a key element in Formula E’s growth strategy and Zhou Guanyu would fit perfectly into this plan.
He said: “Three markets we are absolutely trying to break into on a bigger scale would be North America, China and India,”
“In China alone, we have over 100 million fans, which is absolutely crazy for a 10-year-old business.”
“Because they are leading the EV revolution out of that market and we are an EV motor racing series, I would love nothing more than to have a strong Chinese driver come through into a team.”
“I think the combination of EV, growth market, strong fan base already, back in China racing in Shanghai with a Chinese driver, I think would bring even more interest, excitement and growth to the championship.”
“Without being controversial, he’ll have a challenge of retaining a position in Formula One,” said Dodds of Zhou. “My phone is always on and I’d be delighted to receive that phone call.”
With F1 options running out for Zhou, could we see him make the move to Formula E in 2025?