Cadillac recruits Zhou Guanyu for reserve role in debut F1 season
Photo Credit: Cadillac Formula 1 Team
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team announced Zhou Guanyu as its reserve driver for the 2026 season, the American racing outfit’s first in the sport.
“Our process for selecting a reserve driver has been as thorough as the search for our race drivers,” said Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon. “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.”
Zhou’s recent F1 racing experience and background as a reserve driver made him the ideal candidate for Cadillac.
The 26-year-old raced for Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber from 2022 through 2024, starting 68 Grand Prix. The sport’s first-ever Chinese-born driver collected 16 points in seven different races, scoring six points in each of his first two seasons and registering four points in his last season on the grid. Zhou’s best race finish was eighth place, while his best starting position was fifth.
During the 2025 season, Zhou served as Ferrari’s reserve driver. His former team will be supplying a power unit and gearbox to Cadillac for the 2026 season.
“I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut,” said Zhou Guanyu. “This is one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen.
“I’m excited to welcome Zhou to Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings. “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.”
Cadillac announced its driver lineup in late August, signing veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Perez. The Bottas and Perez duo will become one of the most experienced driver lineups on the F1 grid next season. The two have a combined 16 wins in 527 Grand Prix.
Zhou was Bottas’ teammate in his three seasons as a full-time F1 driver. The 26-year-old received his first opportunity in F1 thanks to Lowdon, his new boss at Cadillac. The team principal was Zhou’s longtime manager, who helped him secure a race seat with Alfa Romeo in 2022.
“I have worked with both Graeme [Lowdon] and Valtteri for many years in various capacities, so joining the team feels like rejoining family,” Zhou said. “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.”
