IT'S OFFICIAL: Ferrari Driver Joins Cadillac Formula 1 Team as Offi

Zhou Guanyu Joins Cadillac Formula 1 Team as Official Reserve Driver for 2026 Debut Season

Silverstone, England – January 5, 2026– In a move that completes Cadillac’s driver lineup ahead of their highly anticipated entry into Formula 1, the American team has officially announced Zhou Guanyu as their reserve driver for the 2026 season. The 26-year-old Chinese racer, who most recently served as Ferrari’s reserve in 2025, brings a wealth of recent F1 experience to the newest squad on the grid.

Zhou, China’s first and only full-time Formula 1 driver, competed in 68 Grands Prix with the Alfa Romeo/Sauber outfit from 2022 to 2024, scoring points on multiple occasions and achieving a best finish of eighth. After departing Sauber at the end of 2024, he spent the 2025 season embedded with Ferrari, contributing through simulator work, trackside support, and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programs. His familiarity with Ferrari’s operations is particularly valuable, as Cadillac will use Ferrari power units and gearboxes in their debut year.

“I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut,” Zhou said in a statement. “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. 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.”

The announcement reunites Zhou with his former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas, one of Cadillac’s two race drivers alongside Sergio Perez. Both Bottas and Perez bring extensive experience, with a combined 527 starts and 16 Grand Prix wins. IndyCar star Colton Herta serves as test driver, while the team also employs simulator drivers including Simon Pagenaud, Pietro Fittipaldi, and Charlie Eastwood.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, who has long managed Zhou’s career, emphasized the thorough selection process. “Our process for selecting a Reserve Driver has been as thorough as the search for our Race Drivers,” Lowdon stated. “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.”

Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss added enthusiasm for the complete lineup: “I’m excited to welcome Zhou to Cadillac Formula 1 Team. 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. I’m excited by our complete driver line-up – alongside Colton, we have a hungry, fast and collaborative group to make our 2026 debut.”

The signing comes just days after Ferrari confirmed their parting with Zhou, and follows cryptic social media teasers from Cadillac hinting at the move – including images featuring cat eyes and the number 24, nods to Zhou’s race number and his well-known affection for cats.

Cadillac’s entry marks the first new team on the F1 grid since Haas in 2016, expanding it to 11 teams and 22 cars. Backed by General Motors (GM) and TWG Motorsports, the squad is building operations in the UK (Silverstone) and USA (including a power unit facility in North Carolina). They will transition to GM-built engines in the future, but start as a Ferrari customer in 2026 – coinciding with major regulation changes introducing new power units and chassis designs.

Zhou’s addition not only bolsters technical development but also enhances commercial appeal, particularly in the massive Chinese market where he remains a celebrity. As F1 continues its global expansion, especially in Asia and the Americas, Zhou’s presence on an American team bridges key regions.

Pre-season testing begins later this month in Barcelona (January 26-30), followed by sessions in Bahrain, with the season opener in Melbourne on March 6-8. Cadillac’s livery reveal is planned for a high-profile Super Bowl advert in February.

This strategic hire underscores Cadillac’s intent to hit the ground running. With experienced racers in Perez and Bottas, a promising test driver in Herta, and now a proven reserve in Zhou, the team positions itself for steady progress in a new era of Formula 1.

The paddock reacts positively, with many viewing Zhou’s role as a potential stepping stone back to a full-time seat. For now, he is poised to play a crucial part in Cadillac’s ambitious journey, helping shape the team’s identity from day one.

About The Author

Hugo Harvey

Hugo Harvey is a distinguished journalist, blogger, and publisher with a dynamic career that spans multiple areas of interest, from sports to entertainment. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Hugo has developed a reputation for delivering insightful and engaging content to his audience. His diverse interests make him a versatile writer, able to cover a wide range of topics with depth and clarity.

See author's posts