Red Bull Racing are keeping the discussion surrounding the Formula 1 driver’s market alive despite the 2024 season finale being just around the corner.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will cap off the longest season in F1 history and there’s still an awful lot to play for even if Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship is all but assured.
They would need to secure a one-two finish and hope Ferrari don’t score any points to finish second, but they can no longer catch McLaren heading into the final race.
Max Verstappen never needs any additional motivation even if his fourth world championship is already sewn up.
George Russell felt the wrath of Verstappen for arguing he deserved a penalty in Qatar and paid the price after being overtaken into the first corner as the Dutchman went on to secure his ninth victory of the season.
Sergio Perez faces being dropped by Red Bull after the race in Abu Dhabi following a miserable campaign.
This could have a domino effect that impacts the sister RB team and the junior program that Red Bull runs.
A report from Auto Motor und Sport believes that this could benefit not only out-of-contract Sauber star Zhou Guanyu but also Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad.
The pair could end up working together with Isack Hadjar eyeing a 2025 RB seat that would see him relinquish his role as both teams’ reserve driver.
Red Bull ‘in talks’ with Zhou Guanyu over TPC role that could benefit Arvid Lindblad
The report from AMuS suggests that Red Bull are keen to introduce Lindblad to Formula 1 sooner rather than later.
Lindblad has already driven an F1 car, but his next step in 2025 will be to race in Formula 2.
However, Red Bull want to give Lindblad more experience next year and are already planning test drives for him in their 2023 car.
The rules around testing previous cars (TPC) is that the model must be two years or more older than the current car being used in F1.
READ MORE: Christian Horner ‘particularly excited’ by Red Bull junior set for 2025 promotion
Red Bull don’t currently carry out many of these tests, particularly when compared to a team like Mercedes who have been working tirelessly to prepare Kimi Antonelli for his F1 debut in 2025.
These TPC tests are expensive, particularly as Honda charges a ‘considerable amount’ for its engines to be used in these scenarios.
However, Red Bull understands the growing importance of carrying out these tests and in order to finance them are now ‘in talks’ with Zhou.
Zhou – who has 67 F1 races under his belt – has lost out on securing a seat for next season, but wants to be in the best position possible to jump back onto the grid in 2026.
Signing for Red Bull and taking part in TPC tests of his own alongside Lindblad may be the best solution.
Zhou Guanyu would be an admirable mentor for Arvid Lindblad if Red Bull sign him
Zhou has had a torrid season at Sauber this year after he and teammate Valtteri Bottas failed to score points during the first 22 rounds of the season.
However, the Qatar Grand Prix suited their newly updated car and the Chinese driver managed to deliver an emotional P8 finish for the team.
Zhou knew before the last three rounds that he would be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu’s life outside F1 from height to net worth
He’s a very talented driver and while Bottas has gotten the upper hand over him throughout their three years together, Zhou might just beat him in the Drivers’ Championship this time around.
Lindblad could learn a lot from Zhou if they were to work on a TPC program together.
Zhou wants to be part of the Cadillac project in 2026, while Lindblad will know he’s potentially next in line for an F1 seat within the Red Bull family that year as well.
Leave feedback about this