Lewis Hamilton back-up plan at Ferrari rubbished in brutal retort after exit announcement

Joining Ferrari as a reserve driver would see Zhou potentially step in for either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc on a race weekend.

Ferrari are looking for a new reserve driver after Robert Schartzman confirmed he would be leaving his current role with the team ahead of his move to IndyCar.

Coronel has dismissed the potential move, suggesting there are significantly more talented drivers available for the role.

The criticism comes with Ferrari being linked with Zhou as a strategic move to boost their presence in the Chinese market.

Zhou's departure from Sauber was confirmed earlier this month as the team opted for an all-new driver line-up for next season.

The Swiss-based outfit has chosen Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto to replace both Zhou and his current teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Both Zhou and Bottas have been left without race seats for next year with no other options available on the grid.

However, both drivers could potentially secure reserve driver roles with top teams, with Bottas being linked to his former employers Mercedes.

Zhou's potential return to Ferrari would mark a reunion, as he previously spent four years with the team's junior academy from 2014 to 2018.

According to Corriere della Serra, Ferrari's interest in Zhou extends beyond his racing capabilities.

The Chinese driver brings substantial financial backing to the table, which could prove valuable for the Italian team.

More significantly, Zhou's appointment could help Ferrari address their declining car sales in the Chinese market.

The reported move is supposedly being aimed at leveraging Zhou's status as the first Chinese Formula 1 driver to boost Ferrari's commercial interests in his home country.

Despite the potential business benefits, Coronel remains unconvinced about Zhou's racing credentials for the prestigious Ferrari role.

"There are 10 times better drivers. Yes, a little experience, yes, money. Ferrari does not need money," Coronel told Racing News 365..

"Its just for one thing; [the] Chinese market. Chinese market to sell Ferrari. Pure, pure, pure marketing, nothing more, nothing less."

Coronel's criticism particularly emphasises that Ferrari's financial strength should allow them to prioritise driving talent over commercial considerations in their selection of a reserve driver.