P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Zhou Guanyu has expressed that he wants to avoid ending up in the same predicament Mick Schumacher has endured should he lose his place in F1.
Sauber has signed Nico Hulkenberg on a long-term deal to transition into a works Audi setup, potentially displacing either Zhou or teammate Valtteri Bottas. Zhou, with Sauber since 2022, may lose his drive after a difficult season with the C44 car that hasn’t scored points. He is eager to avoid a fate similar to Mick Schumacher, who struggled to return to F1 after Haas dropped him. Zhou is open to a reserve role but not long-term, emphasizing the need for timely opportunities in Formula 1 to avoid becoming a perpetual third driver. If replaced at Sauber, Zhou aims for an F1 comeback aligned with the regulation change in 2026, prioritizing F1 at the moment but willing to consider other options if necessary.
