Despite his strong connection with the Cadillac F1 team’s boss, Graeme Lowdon, Zhou Guanyu’s return to Formula 1 is far from guaranteed. Lowdon, who also manages Zhou’s career, has made it clear that his team’s driver selection process will not be influenced by favoritism.
Currently a free agent after his stint as a reserve driver for Ferrari, Zhou was initially considered a strong contender for a Cadillac F1 seat for the 2026 season, thanks to his impressive track record and commercial appeal. Zhou, the first Chinese driver in F1, demonstrated his worth during a three-year run with Alfa Romeo/Sauber, where he raced alongside Valtteri Bottas.
Lowdon, who recently took the helm as Cadillac’s team principal after the American squad received the green light to join Formula 1 in 2026, runs Equals Management with former racing driver Marc Hynes. This management company oversees Zhou’s career, further strengthening his ties with the team. However, Lowdon is adamant that Zhou’s performance, not his personal connection, will determine his eligibility for a Cadillac seat.
In his first press call as Cadillac’s team boss, Lowdon voiced his commitment to maintaining a merit-based selection process. He lauded Zhou’s performance under challenging circumstances and acknowledged the convenience of his firsthand perspective on Zhou’s abilities, but insisted that this would not skew the decision-making process.
The trend of team bosses managing drivers is not new in Formula 1. High-profile examples include Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber, both managed by Flavio Briatore, as well as Jack Doohan and Valtteri Bottas, managed by Alpine F1 and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff respectively.
With no official signings to date, speculation surrounds Cadillac’s two vacant seats. Potential contenders include former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas, ex-Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, and American IndyCar sensation Colton Herta.
Lowdon noted that while experience is a valued asset in their selection process, it is not the sole criterion. The team’s recruitment strategy also considers the drivers’ abilities, potential, and future prospects.
Cadillac’s entry into F1 2026 as the representative of General Motors, one of America’s automotive ‘Big Four’, has sparked discussions about the potential recruitment of an American driver to bolster the team’s image in the US market. One such contender could have been Florida-born Logan Sargeant, a former Williams driver with a promising junior career. However, after a lackluster performance in Formula 1 and a subsequent hiatus from motorsport, Lowdon dismissed Sargeant as a potential recruit.
Lowdon emphasized that while the team is open to the idea of an American driver, the primary focus remains on merit. He insisted that being American does not automatically preclude one from being a competent F1 driver, and hinted at a possible Academy program to nurture future talent. He concluded by reaffirming Cadillac’s long-term commitment to Formula 1 and to cultivating opportunities for deserving drivers.
