Paris, France (AFP) — China’s Zhou Guanyu will represent Ferrari as a reserve driver in the 2025 Formula One season after losing his regular spot with Sauber, the Italian team announced on Wednesday.

Zhou became the first Chinese driver to race in F1 when he joined Alfa Romeo in 2022.

He won 16 points across his three seasons before he and Valtteri Bottas were replaced by Sauber for the upcoming season by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Zhou, who was previously part of Ferrari’s driver academy between 2015 and 2018, will share reserve driver duties with Antonio Giovinazzi.

Italian Giovinazzi lost his F1 drive at Alfa Romeo to Zhou after the 2021 season.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton makes his debut for Ferrari this season following 12 seasons at Mercedes.