Cadillac Names Zhou Guanyu as 2026 Reserve Driver
After departing his Ferrari reserve role, Zhou Guanyu joins the new Cadillac F1 team as a reserve driver for the 2026 season, reuniting with team principal Graeme Lowdon and former teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Just days after parting ways with Ferrari, Zhou Guanyu has secured a key role with the grid's newest outfit, signing on as a reserve driver for the Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026. The move reunites the Chinese driver with team principal Graeme Lowdon, who is also part of his management, and former teammate Valtteri Bottas. Zhou brings recent F1 experience and a superlicense, making him the immediate stand-in for race drivers Sergio Perez and Bottas as the American team prepares for its highly anticipated debut.
Why it matters:
For Zhou, this is a crucial move that keeps him firmly embedded in the F1 paddock after a turbulent off-season. For Cadillac, it's a strategic signing that provides them with an experienced, ready-to-race backup, de-risking their entry into the championship. Zhou's existing relationships with team leadership and a race driver will be invaluable for building team cohesion from the ground up.
The details:
- Zhou's 2025 Pivot: After losing his Sauber race seat at the end of 2024, Zhou spent the 2025 season as a reserve driver for Ferrari before leaving for this new opportunity with Cadillac.
- The Cadillac Lineup: The new team's race seats are locked in by proven winners Sergio Perez and Zhou's former Sauber teammate, Valtteri Bottas.
- Reserve Driver Hierarchy: Zhou is the primary reserve driver and holds a valid superlicense, making him the only immediate substitute available for a race weekend. IndyCar star Colton Herta is also on board as a test driver but lacks the required superlicense for F1 racing.
- Familiar Faces: The connection to team principal Graeme Lowdon, who also manages Zhou's career, was a significant factor. Zhou's three-year partnership with Bottas at Sauber (2022-2024) will also help him integrate seamlessly.
What's next:
Zhou will play a vital support role for Cadillac throughout their 2026 campaign. He will be heavily involved in the pre-season testing program in Barcelona and Bahrain, providing crucial feedback on the team's first-ever F1 car. While he's not in a race seat, his position as the ready-made replacement keeps him in the spotlight and provides a clear pathway back to a full-time drive should an opportunity arise.