Zhou Guanyu Takes the Helm as Cadillac’s Reserve Driver for F1 2026: A Bold New Chapter Begins!
In a thrilling turn of events, Zhou Guanyu has officially been named as the reserve driver for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 season. This announcement comes just three days after the shocking news of his departure from Ferrari, marking a significant shift in the 26-year-old Chinese driver’s career trajectory.
Zhou, who spent the 2025 season in a reserve capacity for the Scuderia, is ready to embrace a fresh challenge with F1’s newest powerhouse, Cadillac. This marks a pivotal moment as the team gears up for its debut in the racing world, and Zhou is set to play a crucial role within this dynamic new outfit. Team principal Graeme Lowdon, who also manages Zhou, expressed enthusiasm over the partnership. Initially, there was speculation that Zhou could step into a primary racing seat, however, Cadillac ultimately chose seasoned racers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas—who happens to be Zhou’s former teammate at Sauber—leaving the door open for Zhou to step in as a vital support figure.
“I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a reserve driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut,” Zhou declared with palpable excitement. “This is one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen. Having worked with both Graeme and Valtteri for many years, it feels like I’m rejoining family.” This family-oriented sentiment resonates deeply, as Zhou aims to leverage his previous experience to add substantial value to the Cadillac team.
Zhou joins a talented pool of support drivers, including ex-IndyCar sensation Colton Herta, who is in a testing role, along with Simon Pagenaud, Pietro Fittipaldi, and Charlie Eastwood as simulator drivers. While Herta is seen as a potential candidate for a full-time seat, he currently lacks the necessary superlicence. This positions Zhou as an ideal and readily available replacement should Perez or Bottas be unable to compete.
Lowdon emphasized the meticulous process behind selecting Zhou as a reserve driver, stating, “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. 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.”
As the 2026 racing season approaches, Cadillac is set to kick off with three crucial pre-season tests in Barcelona from January 26-30, followed by sessions in Bahrain on February 11-13 and February 18-20. The season opener will take place in Melbourne from March 6-8, marking an exciting new era for both Zhou and the Cadillac F1 team.
With Zhou Guanyu’s undeniable talent and determination, fans and critics alike are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds. Will he rise to the occasion and help propel Cadillac into the spotlight of Formula 1? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—the stage is set for an electrifying season ahead!








