Jacques Villeneuve has taken intention at Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, the all the time outspoken F1 world champion suggesting that the Chinese language driver solely owes his presence on the grid to his “huge baggage of money”.
Zhou made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2022 and has since scored six top-ten finishes, claiming a profession better of eighth on the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal throughout his rookie marketing campaign within the sport.
To date this 12 months, the 25-year-old has been outqualified by his Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas at each single race except for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, whereas neither driver has scored a championship level in 2024.
So far as Villeneuve is anxious, Zhou, who doesn’t maintain a contract for 2025, doesn’t benefit a spot on the Formulation 1 grid based mostly on his present performances.
“Guanyu Zhou has a giant baggage of money in his sponsors that he must put someplace, whether or not that’s as an F1 driver or a reserve driver,” Villeneuve advised Instantaneous On line casino.
“Based mostly on the outcomes, Zhou doesn’t deserve a seat in F1.”
The inflow of sponsorship cash from Zhou’s backers is an simple asset to any crew, particularly one like Sauber, which has struggled to stay aggressive.
Nevertheless, Villeneuve believes that monetary contributions mustn’t outweigh efficiency.
“If a crew can get all that sponsorship cash that Zhou brings with him, whilst a reserve drive, then it’s a fantastic outcome for them.”
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As Zhou’s contract with Sauber involves an finish this season, his future in F1 hangs within the stability.
The Chinese language driver is actively exploring his choices to remain on the grid, with Sauber – which is able to quickly transition into Audi – amongst his potential locations.
Zhou’s earlier ties to Alpine, the place he served as a junior driver, additionally current a doable avenue for his continuation within the sport.
In distinction to Villeneuve’s blunt criticism, Zhou stays targeted on securing his place in F1.
Previous to the summer time break, and earlier than it was introduced that Carlos Sainz would transfer to Williams, Zhou expressed his need to remain within the sport, although he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future.
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“I need to keep right here, that’s very clear,” Zhou advised the media. “However in fact we’re speaking to totally different choices, in addition to with Sauber. Nothing’s been determined.
“It’s very simple to say we’re all ready for Carlos to determine on the finish of the day, however hopefully he could make his choice sooner after which I feel that may flip round quite a bit the motive force market.
“However earlier than that, I feel the blokes who nonetheless haven’t signed [can’t] actually give any clear reply. We’re speaking and there’s choices, however we have to wait and see.”
Because the F1 season progresses, Zhou Guanyu faces a pivotal second in his profession, with Jacques Villeneuve’s harsh critique echoing the challenges that lie forward.
Whether or not Zhou will safe a seat for 2025 stays to be seen, however one factor is evident—his outcomes might want to converse louder than his monetary backing if he’s to silence his critics.
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