Guanyu Zhou has openly expressed his irritation with Carlos Sainz's prolonged indecision and the resulting delays regarding his forthcoming F1 career choices.
Both Audi-associated Sauber and Williams have extended long-term proposals to Sainz, who will depart from Ferrari after this season, for engagements starting in 2025.
Moreover, Alpine's team consultant Flavio Briatore has indicated that Sainz possesses a "draft contract" that awaits his signature.
Simultaneously, Toto Wolff has suggested a potential seat may be available for the 29-year-old, contingent upon his patience until November.
Haas' Kevin Magnussen has labeled Sainz as the "cork in the bottle" for the 2025 driver market. Meanwhile, current Sauber driver Zhou is increasingly agitated by the extended delay.
"It's hard to understand," Zhou remarked at Silverstone, as reported by the Dutch publication Formule 1.
"How hard can the decision be now?" he further questioned.
"It's not like he can choose teams that are fighting for the title anymore - only the midfield teams are left. I don't know what he's thinking, but all we can do is keep waiting for him, nothing more."
Zhou would like to stay at Sauber, while his significant Chinese financial backing, rumored to be as much as $35 million annually, could pique the interest of other teams as well.
Nevertheless, Zhou may find himself considering options outside of Formula 1, as Jeff Dodds, CEO of the now Liberty Media-owned Formula E, has expressed a keen interest in acquiring a Chinese driver.
Zhou did not foresee the prolonged wait for Sainz's decision to unfold as it has.
"He is holding up all the other drivers," he asserted at Silverstone. "But I don't think the teams have that much patience. They will certainly set deadlines."
"It's strange to experience it this way," Zhou noted, "also because it's the first time for me. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it. We have to wait."
