Ferrari Ends Partnership with Zhou Guanyu; Alonso Tests Newey-Designed Aston Martin

Ferrari has officially concluded its partnership with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu after the 2025 season, closing a brief return to the Maranello-based outfit. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso provided a glimpse of Aston Martin's future by testing the Valkyrie hypercar, a road car designed by the team's new managing partner, Adrian Newey, as both teams make strategic moves ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul.

Why it matters:

• Zhou's departure concludes a short-lived chapter for the Chinese driver, who struggled to make a significant impact during his F1 career, allowing Ferrari to redirect its reserve driver resources toward more promising talent.
• Alonso's run in the Newey-designed Valkyrie is a powerful symbolic gesture, showcasing the united front of Aston Martin's two biggest assets and building momentum for their ambitious 2026 title challenge.

The details:

• Ferrari's Decision: Zhou Guanyu served as Ferrari's reserve driver for the 2025 season alongside Antonio Giovinazzi. The move was a homecoming of sorts, as Zhou was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018 before his three-season stint at Alfa Romeo/Sauber yielded only 16 points.
• Alonso's Shakedown: The two-time World Champion was spotted at the MotorLand Aragon circuit driving the Aston Martin Valkyrie. This road-legal hypercar is one of two projects designed by Adrian Newey for the brand, highlighting the deep collaboration between the legendary designer and the team's lead driver.
• Newey's Role: Adrian Newey joined Aston Martin in 2025 and has since taken on the role of managing partner, leading the technical direction for the team's crucial 2026 car under the new engine and aerodynamic regulations.

What's next:

• Ferrari will now focus on identifying a new reserve driver, likely from its academy, to support its race drivers as it intensifies its efforts to return to championship contention.
• The real test for Aston Martin will come with the unveiling of its 2026 car. The success of the Newey-Alonso partnership will be measured by whether they can produce a machine capable of challenging Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari at the front of the grid.