China's first and only Formula 1 driver Zhou Guanyu said ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix that he hoped to get back into a race seat with Cadillac when it joins the grid in 2026, adding a new element to the Silly Season
A General Motors-backed Cadillac entry will become the Formula 1 world championship's 11th team next year after securing formal approval from the sport's commercial rights holders and governing FIA earlier this month.
Ferrari's reserve driver Zhou, on Thursday, addressed reporters ahead of his home race in his native Mandarin Chinese: "I'm first of all very happy that a new team is joining F1... as it's a pity there's no seat available to me... the addition of a new team means there will be two new seats to compete for.
"I will definitely wait for any opportunities. There are many new players, and F1 is a very brutal sport. If you don't show your skills and mental toughness within a short period of time, it's easy to be eliminated," explained Zhou.
Cadillac means another 2 seats on the Formula 1 grid from 2026
Having a Chinese driver back on the grid would be a boon for F1 and its owner Liberty Media, who see the world's second-largest country as a key market. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said in the past that China could ultimately host two races.
Cadillac have appointed Briton Graeme Lowdown to lead the team but the Chinese driver said the fact a member of his management team was taking the reins of the new outfit did not mean he was guaranteed a drive.
Zhou later told reporters in English: "I'm really happy, of course, that Graeme is the principal of Cadillac, but that doesn't mean I'm definitely linked with the team because, at the end of the day, the overall decision is taken by different people.
"I'm just doing my thing with Ferrari and trying to focus on the job here and when there's a chance I'm always going to be fully committed to it," Zhou added.
Cadillac will have a load of more experienced drivers to choose from including ten-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas who is Mercedes reserve this year, while reports linking out-of-work F1 veteran Sergio Perez to the GM effort prevail. As well as a host of American drivers that may be considered.
Does Zhou Guanyu deserve a seat in Formula 1 again?
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