Aston Martin announced the signing of Zhenrui Chi to its Driver Academy, describing the youngster as “one of China’s most promising drivers.” The arrival comes at a time when Formula 1 no longer has Chinese drivers on the grid since Zhou Guanyu’s departure at the end of 2024.
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According to Aston Martin, Zhenrui’s signing “followed a rigorous selection process conducted by the team’s Driver Academy program, which began with him driving on the evaluation day at Mugello, before we followed his impressive 2025 campaign.”
The 17-year-old driver competed in Italian F4 for Prema Racing last season, winning at Monza and securing three more podiums, finishing fifth in the championship. In 2026, Zhenrui will compete in Formula Regional and will have his car in Aston Martin colors. In addition, he will be part of a personalized development program for his evolution in motorsport.
The driver commented on the signing saying: “It’s a huge honor.” He added: “It’s a big responsibility, but also an incredible opportunity and motivation to keep pushing myself to reach the next level. Knowing that I have the support of such an iconic team, with all their experience and knowledge, gives me a lot of confidence for the journey ahead.
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“I know the path will require hard work and dedication, and I am fully aware that I need to keep proving that I deserve this opportunity. I am ready to give my all and I can’t wait to start this journey with Aston Martin.”
Aston Martin Academy Director, Nuno Pinto, also highlighted the signing. He stated: “Zhenrui is exactly the kind of talent our Academy exists to discover. We first saw him at a test in Mugello and were immediately impressed. We then followed his 2025 season, where he showed pace and consistency in Italian F4. We are very happy to welcome him to the Academy and support his development at Silverstone. With the resources of the AMR Technology Campus, we believe we can help him grow. It’s a long-term partnership, and we look forward to the journey ahead.”
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