Zhou Guanyu joins Cadillac as reserve driver

Zhou last raced full time in F1 with Sauber back in 2024, but was let go and joined Ferrari as a reserve in 2025.

He has now joined Cadillac who have Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their main drivers.

Cadillac said in a statement: "The Cadillac Formula 1® Team is pleased to confirm that Zhou Guanyu has joined as Reserve Driver for the team's Formula 1 debut in 2026.

"Zhou joins a talented lineup of drivers at the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, which includes race drivers Valtteri Bottas - alongside whom he raced throughout his stints at Alfa Romeo and Kick Sauber - and Checo Perez, plus Test Driver Colton Herta, who will compete in Formula 2 with Hitech in 2026."

The statement went on: "Shanghai-born Zhou, who is China's first and only F1 driver, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.

"His 68-race F1 career began in 2022 with Alfa Romeo, for whom he scored points three times, including on his debut in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Having quickly developed a reputation as a fast and hard-working team player, he continued with the outfit in 2023 when he also scored points on three occasions.

"Zhou remained with the team when it became Kick Sauber in 2024," Cadillac added, "and he claimed its only points finish of the year in the Qatar Grand Prix.

"The 26-year-old also brings valuable experience from his time with Scuderia Ferrari, which will supply the Cadillac Formula 1® Team with its power unit and gearbox in 2026.

"Zhou completed various trackside, simulator, and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programs for the Italian marque in 2025 as Reserve Driver, acquiring relevant and recent experience ahead of his new role with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team," the statement said.

Looking back on Zhou's career in junior categories, Cadillac said: "As a junior driver, Zhou was recognized as a standout talent.

"He collected 20 podium finishes, including five victories, across a three-year stint in Formula 2, which culminated in third place in the series standings in 2021, when he also won the F3 Asian Championship by claiming four victories and five pole positions.

"He boasts wins in the highly regarded Formula 3 European Championship and Italian Formula 4 Championship, finishing second in the latter in 2015," the statement cocluded.

Commenting on his new gig, Zhou said: "I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut.

"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.

"I am looking forward to supporting them the best way that I can," the Chinese driver concluded.

Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal, Cadillac Formula 1 Team, added: "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," Lowdon insisted. "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 for Dan Towriss, the CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings, he commented: "I'm excited to welcome Zhou to the 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," Towriss concluded.