Zhou Guanyu returns to the F1 grid as Reserve Driver for Cadillac F1 team
Former Saube/Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu has been announced as the Reserve Driver of Cadillac, ahead of the American Formula One team’s debut season in 2026. Zhou, who is the first full-time Chinese driver to race in Formula One, is a former member of the Ferrari and Alpine Academies. The 26-year old Chinese driver has a total of 68 F1 starts to his name and has scored 16 points in his career.
Zhou will be the Reserve Driver for the team, who will be making their Formula One debut in the Formula One 2026 season with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez locked in as the team’s drivers. Zhou made his debut for Alfa Romeo in 2022 and after two seasons with the Swiss team, he lost his seat as Sauber brought in Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. The Chinese driver served as Ferrari’s Reserve Drive in 2025 but it was announced in early January 2026 that Ferrari and Zhou had parted ways. Ferrari will provide Cadillac with its power units and gearbox for the Formula One 2026 season.
Zhou 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.”
