Zhou Guanyu managed to score Sauber’s first points of the season during the Qatar Grand Prix with his eighth-place finish.
Sauber introduced one of their final upgrades at the Lusail International Circuit with a tweaked front wing, and it paid off as both drivers made it through to Q2 and were knocking on the door for a top-ten finish.
Zhou made use of a series of late Safety Car’s to jump into the top ten places, while also pulling off an impressive overtake on Alex Albon for the eighth spot.
Holding on to the top ten place, he managed to score Sauber’s first points of the year to ensure they did not end the season on zero for the first time since the 2014 season.
Discussing their points finish on the F1 TV post-race show with Zhou, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer said that he saw the Sauber mechanics doing something in the build-up to the race.
Jolyon Palmer spotted Sauber mechanics doing pit stop practice moments before race
Sauber’s season started off in a calamitous fashion when they had problems with their pit stops, which meant their drivers could not compete with teams finishing in the points.
A lack of meaningful car developments have also put them one-step behind the opposition, but a mid-season turn around saw them more regularly getting into Q2 and challenging for the top ten.
Palmer said he also spotted something in the pit lane that confirmed they were taking Qatar as a serious opportunity to score points, having achieved the same feat at last years race.
“I was walking through the pit lane before the race on the way to the grid and your team were the only ones practicing pit stops. I feel like you knew this was a chance,” said Palmer.
Zhou responded: “Pit stops have been a nightmare for us this season, it’s definitely been very challenging and coming into the race weekend we knew this was our best chance to score points for both cars. I think the guys did amazing, practising throughout the weekend.”
Sauber clocked the third quickest stop of the race at 2.42s for Valtteri Bottas, which eventually put him in contention for a P10 before being overtaken by Lando Norris who was recovering from his 10-second stop/go penalty.
Zhou Guanyu looking at options to stay on F1 grid
Zhou is set to leave Sauber at the end of the year as they side with F2 racer Gabriel Bortoleto instead, who will partner alongside Nico Hulkenberg.
The Chinese driver has stated his intentions to remain in the F1 paddock by taking up a reserve role at another team, although there is no indication of who that could be yet.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu’s life outside F1 from height to net worth
Alpine is no longer an avenue after they confirmed Paul Aaron as their test/reserve for next season, while Mercedes looks set to go with Bottas.
The other possibility for Zhou could be Haas now that Oliver Bearman has become a full-time driver, however, it looks unlikely. Cadillac’s 2026 entry might be the next opportunity for Zhou, should they want an experienced driver.
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