Zhou fielding 'several very good' offers outside F1

Zhou Guanyu has revealed he has received "several very good" approaches from teams in other motorsport series.

The 24-year-old is staring down the barrel of a future outside of F1 as current Stake team-mate Valtteri Bottas is expected to continue with the team next season.

Regardless of what subsequently lies in store for Zhou, he claims to have a variety of options to draw upon if he cannot secure his desired contract renewal at Stake.

"At the moment, all I can say is that there's already several very good chances, teams in other series [that have] approached me for a drive for next year," the Chinese driver told media including RacingNews365.

"But, at the moment, of course, I want to still get the Sauber seat, and if by any chance, I don't have that, we have to think about the rest [of the options available]."

Other opportunities cannot close F1 door

Zhou and Stake are in the midst of a torrid campaign in F1. After being thwarted by poor pitstops early in the season - an issue that prevented the team from capitalising on points-scoring opportunities - the Swiss outfit is still yet to open its account for 2024.

It has prevented Zhou, and Bottas, from showcasing their best form as they battle to prolong their F1 careers.

The former is, however, open to exploring life outside the so-called 'pinnacle of motorsport' - so long as doing so does not completely close the door on returning in the future.

"I think most importantly is that wherever I go, I need to make sure that the goal of F1 doesn't close at that time because I think a lot of drivers still make the comeback [to F1]," explained Zhou.

"So, you want to make sure that the opportunity in another series doesn't close your goal.

"I think you can have a great future in other parts [of motorsport], but at the moment, my focus is still Formula 1. But if the door closes, there will be some decisions to make."