Zhou joins Cadillac after his departure from Ferrari
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has announced that former Ferrari third driver Zhou Guanyu will join the outfit as Reserve Driver ahead of its first season in Formula 1 in 2026.
Zhou becomes part of a growing driver lineup that includes race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, as well as Test Driver Colton Herta, who will combine his role with a Formula 2 campaign for Hitech next year. Zhou previously raced alongside Bottas during their shared time at Alfa Romeo and Kick Sauber.
China’s first Formula 1 driver, Zhou brings four seasons of experience to Cadillac’s new programme. Since making his debut in 2022, he has started 68 Grands Prix and scored points on multiple occasions, including on his debut in Bahrain. He remained with the team through its transition to Kick Sauber in 2024, securing its only points finish of that season at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Zhou also arrives with recent technical knowledge from Scuderia Ferrari, which will supply Cadillac with power units and gearboxes from 2026. As Ferrari’s Reserve Driver in 2025, he completed simulator work, trackside duties, and Testing of Previous Cars programmes, giving him relevant preparation for his new role.
Reflecting on the move, Zhou said he was “delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut,” calling the project “one of the biggest and most exciting new ventures the sport has ever seen.”
He added that working again with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and former teammate Valtteri Bottas “feels like rejoining family,” and said he hopes to “add huge value to the team” through his recent on‑track and development experience.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon said Zhou met all the criteria Cadillac sought in a Reserve Driver. “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. Zhou fits the bill perfectly,” he said. “He will be a great asset to us as we go racing in 2026.”
Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings, also welcomed the signing. “He will be an excellent addition to complement Valtteri and Checo; talented, personable and respectful of the hard work and commitment it will take for us to achieve our ambitions,” he said. “Alongside Colton, we have a hungry, fast and collaborative group to make our 2026 debut.”
