Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is already well aware that he needs to find one new driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Nico Hulkenberg has already confirmed that he’ll be joining Sauber next year before they become the Audi works team in 2026.
A report from Racing News 365 suggests that his current teammate Kevin Magnussen might also be on his way out when his current contract expires.
The Danish driver was at the centre of some controversies in Miami, picking up plenty of penalties in both the Sprint Race and the main Grand Prix.
Haas are less convinced about keeping Magnussen beyond this season at this stage, meaning they need to potentially find two new drivers.
Ferrari youngster Oliver Bearman looks nailed on to be in one of those seats in 2025.
It’s now being reported that Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu is the favourite to join Haas as Magnussen’s replacement.
The Chinese driver – who has 50 Grand Prix starts to his name – is in a precarious position of his own with his current team.
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Zhou Guanyu the ‘favourite’ to replace Kevin Magnussen at Haas
It’s been another tough season near the back of the grid for the Sauber team.
The likes of Haas and V-CARB took steps forward over the winter, while Alpine’s latest upgrade package looks relatively effective.
It leaves Sauber and Williams as the only two teams who have yet to score a point after six race weekends.
However, despite being bottom of the Constructors’ Championship, the promise of Audi taking over the team has made Sauber an attractive prospect.
It’s the reason why Hulkenberg has left a stronger package at Haas and why they believe they can sign Carlos Sainz when his Ferrari deal expires.
That leaves Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas out of a job but the Chinese driver is understood to be the favourite to move to Haas if Kevin Magnussen leaves.
The 31-year-old Dane has scored a point this season but has been outclassed by Hulkenberg throughout the campaign.
Already described by Damon Hill as ‘impressive’ this season, Zhou has had a couple of near misses when it comes to getting off the mark.
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Zhou Guanyu could extend F1 career into fourth season with Haas
The report from RacingNews365 suggests that Zhou is ‘currently the favourite’ for the Haas seat and there may be another reason beyond his ability on the track for this.
The recent success of the Chinese Grand Prix is said to have played a part and makes Zhou a ‘commercially lucrative’ prospect.
It’s something that his management are making clear to Haas and the 24-year-old has already been described as the perfect Gene Haas driver earlier in the season.
Who else could Haas sign for 2025?
Oliver Bearman appears to be the most likely driver to join the team next year which is impressive given how many racers currently on the grid appear to be looking for a new race seat.
Zhou would be a solid option but it might pay for Haas to be patient before deciding on the favourite to replace Kevin Magnussen.
The Dane still has time to turn this around and will hope his familiarity with the team and relationship with Bearman can earn him a new contract.
It would also make sense for Haas to explore whether Valtteri Bottas would be keen on joining them.
The Finn is a faster driver than Zhou and would be more effective at helping the team develop upgrades, but also more expensive.
Haas have the benefit of time on their side and plenty of talented drivers who will be seeking a new challenge on the grid.
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