Jonas Leo
Shanghai, China / Detroit, USA – Chinese racing driver Zhou Guanyu has been officially confirmed as a reserve driver for the new Cadillac Formula 1 Team, set to make its debut in the 2026 season. The announcement, made just three days following the confirmation of his departure from a reserve role with Ferrari for the 2025 campaign, marks a significant new chapter for the 26-year-old and for the American-backed F1 entrant.
Zhou’s transition to Cadillac comes after a period spent in a reserve capacity with the Scuderia, a role he was scheduled to undertake for the 2025 season. His decision to leave Ferrari for Cadillac signals a strategic move towards a project with deep connections to his professional network and a fresh challenge in the pinnacle of motorsport. This appointment places Zhou within a developing structure at Cadillac, aligning him with team principal Graeme Lowdon, who also forms part of the Chinese driver’s management team, underscoring a pre-existing professional relationship that likely facilitated the move.
Zhou Guanyu first made history as the first full-time Chinese driver in Formula 1, debuting in 2022 with Alfa Romeo (later rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber). Over three seasons in the sport, from 2022 to 2024, Zhou demonstrated consistent progress and scored a total of 16 championship points. His debut season saw him secure points in his very first Grand Prix in Bahrain, a feat that immediately established his potential. Throughout his tenure with the Sauber-run team, he partnered with Valtteri Bottas, gaining valuable experience in car development and race strategy within a midfield environment. His presence on the grid has been pivotal in expanding Formula 1’s reach and viewership in the burgeoning Chinese market.
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 for 2026 represents a substantial development for the sport, adding a prominent American automotive brand to the grid. While details regarding the full scope of their operation and potential technical partnerships are still emerging, the team has been actively building its personnel and driver roster. The decision to appoint Zhou Guanyu as a reserve driver highlights Cadillac’s intention to leverage drivers with recent and relevant F1 experience, particularly given the comprehensive regulatory overhaul scheduled for the 2026 season.
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The primary race seats for Cadillac’s inaugural season have been secured by two experienced Grand Prix winners: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Perez, a Mexican driver known for his race craft and tyre management, brings a wealth of experience from multiple F1 teams, most notably his successful tenure with Red Bull Racing, where he has contributed to Constructors’ Championships and secured several Grand Prix victories. His strategic acumen and ability to perform under pressure will be crucial for a new team. Bottas, a veteran of over 200 Grand Prix starts and a ten-time Grand Prix winner with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, also brings extensive technical feedback capabilities and a deep understanding of hybrid-era Formula 1 machinery. The pairing offers a blend of championship-contending experience, providing Cadillac with a solid foundation for their competitive ambitions.
The selection of Perez and Bottas for the main race seats meant that initial discussions regarding Zhou potentially becoming one of Cadillac’s main racers did not materialize into a full-time role. However, his appointment as a reserve driver maintains a vital link. The prior three-season partnership between Zhou and Bottas at Sauber provides an immediate rapport and understanding within the team, which can streamline communication and development efforts. This familiarity is expected to be a significant asset, particularly during the demanding initial phases of a new team’s entry into Formula 1.
Zhou expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a reserve driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut. This is one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen. I have worked with both Graeme [Lowdon] and Valtteri [Bottas] for many years in various capacities, so joining the team feels like rejoining family." His comments underscore the personal and professional connections that influenced his decision, highlighting the importance of a cohesive working environment, particularly within a fledgling F1 operation.
He further elaborated on his potential contributions, adding, "Having had recent experience on track and in developing the cars off track, I know I can add huge value to the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and I am looking forward to supporting them the best way that I can." This perspective emphasizes the practical benefits of having a reserve driver with recent F1 driving experience, especially in an era where simulator work and limited track testing make every hour of development critical.
The Cadillac driver support structure extends beyond Zhou, incorporating a diverse group of talent. Ex-IndyCar star Colton Herta has been signed in a test driver role, bringing a different perspective from North American single-seater racing. Additionally, Simon Pagenaud, Pietro Fittipaldi, and Charlie Eastwood have been appointed as simulator drivers. Pagenaud, a former IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner, provides endurance racing and high-level circuit experience. Fittipaldi, with his Formula 1 test and reserve experience, alongside a career in various junior categories and sports cars, offers valuable insights. Eastwood, a GT and endurance racing specialist, further diversifies the simulator team’s input.
While Herta is widely regarded as a driver with the potential for a future full-time F1 seat, his current lack of an FIA Superlicence – a prerequisite for competing in Formula 1 – positions Zhou Guanyu as the immediate and fully qualified stand-in should either Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas be unable to race. This critical factor solidifies Zhou’s importance, providing Cadillac with a ready-made and experienced replacement who can step into the cockpit without regulatory hurdles.
Graeme Lowdon, the Cadillac team principal, articulated the rigorous process behind the reserve driver selection. Lowdon, who previously held significant management roles with the now-defunct Virgin (2010-2011) and Marussia (2012-2015) F1 teams, stated, "Our process for selecting a reserve driver has been as thorough as the search for our race drivers. We wanted a candidate who had recent F1 driving experience, is prepared to work hard as part of a team and understands the challenges of developing a car throughout the season." Lowdon’s extensive background in establishing and operating F1 teams, albeit with varying degrees of success, provides him with a pragmatic understanding of the demands placed on a new entrant.
Lowdon concluded his statement by affirming Zhou’s suitability: "Zhou fits the bill perfectly. He will be a great asset to us as we go racing in 2026 and we look forward to him being an integral part of our team." These comments highlight the specific criteria Cadillac prioritized: current F1 relevance, a strong work ethic, and an appreciation for the iterative process of car development, all attributes that Zhou is deemed to possess.
The 2026 Formula 1 season is anticipated to usher in a new era for the sport, driven by significant technical regulation changes, particularly concerning power units and aerodynamic concepts. The new power unit regulations are designed to be more sustainable, featuring a 50% internal combustion engine and 50% electrical power split, alongside a move to fully sustainable fuels. These changes present both immense challenges and opportunities for new entrants like Cadillac. Developing a competitive package from scratch under these revised rules will demand extensive simulation, testing, and driver feedback.
The 2026 campaign is scheduled to commence with three distinct pre-season testing sessions: Barcelona, Spain, from January 26-30, followed by two sessions in Bahrain, from February 11-13 and February 18-20. These test periods will be crucial for Cadillac to validate their car design and operational procedures before the season’s opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, scheduled for March 6-8. Zhou Guanyu’s role in these preparatory phases, both in the simulator and potentially on track, will be vital in gathering data and refining the car’s performance.
Zhou Guanyu’s move to Cadillac as a reserve driver represents a strategic continuation of his Formula 1 career, aligning him with an ambitious new project at a pivotal moment for the sport. His experience, coupled with the established relationships within the team, positions him as a key asset for Cadillac as they navigate the complexities of their inaugural season. For both Zhou and Cadillac, the 2026 season holds the promise of establishing a new legacy in Formula 1, with the Chinese driver playing a crucial supportive role in the team’s developmental journey.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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