Zhou Guanyu returns to the F1 grid as Cadillac reserve driver

Zhou Guanyu has been confirmed as the Reserve Driver of the Cadillac Formula One Team for their debut season.

The 26-year-old, who is the first full-time Chinese driver to ever race in Formula One, is a former member of the Ferrari and Alpine academies and has a total of 68 F1 starts to his name, along with 16 points.

While Zhou will be their Reserve Driver during the 2026 F1 season, the American outfit’s first-choice drivers will be veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez.

Zhou made his F1 debut for Alfa Romeo in 2022. He lost his seat after two seasons with the Swiss team, as Sauber brought in Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

During the 2025 season, he served as Ferrari’s Reserve Driver, but it was announced recently that the two would part ways. Ferrari will provide Cadillac with power units and gearboxes for their debut Formula One campaign.

On joining Cadillac for F1 2026, Guanyu commented:

“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 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, and I am looking forward to supporting them the best way that I can.”

Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal, Cadillac Formula One Team, said:

“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. 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.”

Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings, added:

“I’m excited to welcome Zhou to 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.”