A Formula 1 driver, who brings a £28m budget, has now sent Alpine a come-and-get-me plea after the Renault-owned team announced Esteban Ocon will leave after 2024.
Two seats might also become available in Enstone following the current season. Pierre Gasly is currently out of contract with Alpine at the close of the campaign. But while the outfit are still to decide his future, Alpine and Ocon agreed that he will leave when his contract lapses.
Ocon was already due to be out of contract with Alpine at the end of the year on terms they signed in 2021. Yet executives in Enstone sought to finalise a mutual separation after Ocon’s opening lap collision with Gasly during the Monaco GP enraged team principal Bruno Famin.
Sauber star Zhou Guanyu is ‘open’ to talks with Alpine for 2025
Alpine are one of many teams with Aston Martin, Haas, Mercedes, Sauber, Visa Cash App RB and Williams still to confirm their 2025 driver line-up. The Enstone team could also turn to a familiar face to replace Ocon or Gasly with Sauber pilot Zhou Guanyu open to joining Alpine.
Zhou came through the Renault Driver Academy before leaving to make his debut in F1 with Sauber in 2022. The 25-year-old broke into the pinnacle of motorsport driving for the Hinwil, Switzerland squad whilst running as Alfa Romeo. But he has only ever had single-year deals.
READ MORE: F1 2025 driver line-up with every team’s confirmed entry for the grid
Now, with Audi signing Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for one of the two seats at Sauber before taking the team over in 2026, Zhou will consider offers from other teams. Staying in Hinwil is still an option for F1’s first full-time Chinese racer. But Zhou does not rule out joining Alpine.
“I think the other seat is still available,” Zhou said, via quotes by PlanetF1, about the idea of staying at Sauber. “So, we still have an option.
“Of course, with Alpine I always had a very good connection in the past because that’s who really helped me to have the chance maybe before Formula 1 and then really grateful to join Alfa Romeo at the time and Sauber to have the chance.
“So, now I’m open to other teams or open to discussions about my future. Nothing has been confirmed but I feel like there should be a spot for me in the future on this grid. But I just don’t know where.”
Zhou Guanyu is an option for Haas as he brings £28m in backing
Zhou is one of only three drivers, with Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas and Logan Sargeant of Williams, still to score a point in 2024. His best finish remains P11 in the season-opening Bahrain GP. Zhou registered six points during each of his first two seasons in F1 with Sauber.
Now, though, his future may be elsewhere and Zhou does not baulk at returning to Alpine in 2025. Joe Saward has also suggested that Alpine will look at signing Zhou to replace Ocon or Gasly. The Renault-owned outfit likes the ‘big bonus’ he would bring in marketing terms.
According to Michael Schmidt, the Shanghai native also adds a lot more than just marketing. The journalist notes Haas are another possible landing spot as Zhou brings around $30-35m (£24-28m) in backing. It can help with Zhou’s career-best still P8 at the 2022 Canadian GP.
The post ‘I’m open’: F1 driver with £28m budget sends Alpine come-and-get-me plea after Ocon exit appeared first on F1 Oversteer.