Cadillac has officially signed Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu as their reserve driver for the team’s inaugural Formula 1 season in 2026. Zhou, who previously raced for Alfa Romeo/Sauber from 2022 to 2024, spent last season as a reserve driver for Ferrari, providing backup to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, although he did not participate in any race weekends.
Alongside Zhou, Cadillac will feature an experienced driver line-up comprising Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Zhou will play a crucial role from the paddock, preparing for the challenges ahead as the team embarks on its first season. His transition to Cadillac seemed inevitable, especially considering that team principal Graeme Lowdon also manages Zhou.
Zhou’s Experience and Team Dynamics
Lowdon expressed confidence in Zhou’s capabilities, stating, “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.”
Zhou’s previous experience with Bottas during their time at Sauber adds familiarity to the team dynamic. Both drivers were teammates for three seasons before being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Bottas served as a reserve driver with Mercedes last year, while Perez took a hiatus following his departure from Red Bull.
Zhou remarked on the significance of this opportunity, saying, “This is one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen. I have worked with both Graeme and Valtteri for many years in various capacities, so joining the team feels like rejoining family.”
Future Plans and Team Structure
In addition to Zhou, Cadillac has signed American driver Colton Herta. Herta, a former IndyCar race winner, will compete in Formula 2 this year to accumulate the necessary superlicence points required for future participation in Formula 1.
Cadillac is set to enter the championship as the 11th team in F1, utilizing Ferrari engines until at least 2029. The team will operate from four locations: three in the United States—Indiana, North Carolina, and Michigan—and one in Silverstone, England.
The 2026 F1 season is scheduled to commence on March 8 in Australia. The addition of Cadillac signifies a notable expansion in the F1 grid, which will host more than ten teams for the first time since 2016, when Haas joined the sport prior to the dissolution of Manor Racing later that year.
This strategic move signals Cadillac’s commitment to competing at the highest level of motorsport and reflects the increasing interest in Formula 1 across the globe.
