By F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhou Guanyu has not given up on returning to the F1 grid. But after two seasons on the sidelines, the Cadillac reserve driver now admits there is a point at which he may explore other opportunities.

"I think at the end of this year or the end of next year, if there's still no drive in F1, then there will be other series I'll be looking for," Zhou told Xinhua during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

It is the first time Zhou has openly placed a timeline on his future, in a subtle but telling shift for a driver who has spent the past two years insisting his focus remains fixed on F1.

Zhou made history in 2022 when he joined Alfa Romeo to become China's first F1 race driver. Two more seasons followed, before he lost his seat after a difficult 2024.

The Shanghai native then took on a reserve role with Ferrari in 2025 before joining the nascent Cadillac squad for 2026, where he combines standby duties with a development position.

"One of the reasons I joined the team is because I feel like with Cadillac there is a big opportunity for my future, hopefully to get back on the grid," he said.

His role extends beyond simply waiting in the wings in case regular drivers Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez are indisposed. Zhou is also involved in developing the car for the new rules cycle, drawing on experience gained across multiple teams.

"It's about waiting if the team needs me to step into the race car, and then helping with development for the entire 2026 season," he said. "New regs, new engine, everything is new."

Yet even that opportunity comes with limitations. With more than 60 Grands Prix to his name, Zhou is no longer eligible for mandatory rookie appearances in Friday practice sessions, while Cadillac's status as a new entrant means it lacks a previous car for private testing programs.

He is expected to drive during the season, but opportunities may be limited.

"I will do a good amount of seat driving, not as much as the race drivers, but as normal," Zhou said, with timings still to be confirmed.

In the absence of regular mileage, Zhou has leaned into the technical side of his role, positioning himself as a conduit between driver and engineering team.

"I can really understand what is the right way of making sure we gather all the right data heading forward," he said.

There are also less tangible benefits. After a difficult 2024 season spent at the back of the grid, Zhou described himself as mentally revitalized, freed from the weekly grind of racing without the tools to compete.

"When you have a car that can't fight for points, it's always draining," he said. "I feel much more refreshed now."

Despite his absence from the grid, Zhou said he has remained in demand, revealing that both Cadillac and Ferrari had sought to retain his involvement following his departure from a full-time seat.

Zhou is also relaxed about his prospects beyond F1 if a return does not materialize. Drivers who leave the series often secure seats in championships such as Formula E, the World Endurance Championship or IndyCar, where Zhou's profile is likely to make him an attractive option for manufacturers seeking greater visibility in China's vast automotive market.

"There are so many teams approaching me from every series you can think of," he said. "Since last year it's been continuous, so I'm grateful for that."

For now, his focus remains unchanged. Cadillac offers a pathway, however uncertain, back into a race seat. The volatility of the driver market means opportunities can emerge quickly, and Zhou is determined to be ready if one does.

But there is also an acceptance that waiting cannot go on indefinitely. If a return has not materialized by the end of 2026, Zhou's next move may take him beyond F1, a prospect he had previously resisted acknowledging. ■