Zhou Guanyu Joins Cadillac, Cites Team's Ambitious 'Mission Target'
After losing his race seat, Zhou Guanyu joins Cadillac's 2026 F1 project as a reserve driver, attracted by the team's serious 'mission target' to compete. He sees it as his best path back to a full-time drive, while the team values his experience for the new regulations.
After a year on the sidelines, Zhou Guanyu is returning to the F1 grid fold, signing with the new Cadillac operation as a test and reserve driver for the 2026 season. The Chinese driver was drawn to the American outfit not just for an opportunity, but for what he perceives as a genuine 'mission target' to compete at the highest level, rather than simply make up the numbers.
Why it matters:
This move is a significant career lifeline for Zhou, who lost his full-time drive at the end of 2024. For Cadillac, an ambitious new entrant backed by General Motors, securing a driver with recent Grand Prix experience signals a serious intent to build a competitive foundation from day one. Zhou's feedback will be invaluable as the team navigates the massive 2026 regulatory overhaul.
The details:
- Familiar Faces: Zhou's long-time manager, Graeme Lowdon, is the team's first team principal, and he'll be working alongside former teammate Valtteri Bottas. This existing trust and familiarity were key factors in his decision.
- 'Mission Target': The primary attraction was the team's clear ambition. Zhou emphasized that Cadillac isn't just aiming to participate; their goal is to establish themselves as a top midfield team and progress upwards, a long-term project that appealed to him.
- Mutual Benefit: Zhou views the role as his best path back to a full-time race seat. In return, Cadillac gains an experienced driver to provide high-quality feedback on the new car, a critical asset given the scale of the rule changes for 2026.
What's next:
As the team's sole reserve driver, Zhou will be heavily involved in the simulator program and testing, working alongside race drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. His ability to translate his on-track knowledge into actionable data for the engineers will be crucial for Cadillac's debut. A strong performance in this role could position him perfectly for a future race seat, either with the expanding American team or elsewhere on the grid.