Zhou Guanyu Tipped for Alpine Return: Could Replace Esteban Ocon in 2025

Zhou Guanyu speculated to make unexpected Alpine F1 comeback: “It would be logical…”

Zhou Guanyu might take over Esteban Ocon's spot at Alpine for the 2025 season.

French Formula 1 journalist Fred Ferret has predicted that Zhou Guanyu will replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the 2025 season.

As of Monday, just before the Canadian Grand Prix, it was revealed that Ocon would be leaving Alpine, creating at least one open position for the team in 2025.

Pierre Gasly is likely to stay with the team, but who his teammate will be is not yet known.

Alpine has a few in-house choices, including Jack Doohan, their reserve driver, and Mick Schumacher, who competes for them in the World Endurance Championship.

Valtteri Bottas and his teammate Zhou have both been associated with external opportunities.

Zhou was affiliated with Renault prior to his move to Sauber at the beginning of 2022.

In the most recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, Ferret discussed the reasoning behind why Zhou joining Alpine is a logical move.

"What about Zhou? Who will lose their position," he remarked. "It's known that Geely has strong ties with Renault. Geely is a Chinese automotive company closely connected to the French automaker Renault."

"A year ago, they entered into an agreement. Having a Chinese driver would be logical, even though the team is French, because of their connection with a Chinese manufacturer."

"In my opinion, Zhou is a good fit with Pierre."

Tom Clarkson, the host of the F1 Nation podcast, believes that Zhou is a strong contender due to his various qualifications and previous connections with Alpine.

"I believe the team will aim to keep Pierre," Clarkson mentioned. "Zhou fulfills many criteria since he was involved in the Alpine young driver program, and they want to demonstrate, especially after the Oscar Piastri situation, that there is indeed a path to the F1 team."

In 2021, during the first practice session (FP1) in Austria, he made his debut at a race weekend. He drove for Alpine at that time, establishing various connections, including with Geely as mentioned. It makes me curious if Zhou is actually the leading candidate to take Esteban's spot.

"Zhou and Gasly make a pretty solid team, in my opinion."

Discover More

Recent Updates

Recent Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to reproduce any part or the entirety of text, photos, or images in any manner.