Zhou Guanyu has joined Formula 1 debutants Cadillac F1 Team as reserve driver for the upcoming season, following his departure from Scuderia Ferrari, the General Motors-backed team confirmed on Monday.
The 26-year-old Chinese driver raced in 68 Formula 1 Grands Prix with Swiss-based Sauber between 2022 and 2024 and brings valuable experience to Cadillac ahead of their historic debut on the F1 grid.
Zhou has a long-standing relationship with Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon, who has previously managed the Shanghai-born driver during his career.
Cadillac will enter Formula 1 as the sport’s 11th team and is set to run Ferrari power units when they make their competitive debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March. The American outfit has already confirmed experienced drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their race drivers for the season.
In addition, Cadillac have appointed American former IndyCar driver Colton Herta as test driver, with Herta also set to compete in Formula 2 during the campaign.
Zhou, who was Bottas’ teammate during his time at Sauber, remains the only Chinese driver to have competed in Formula 1, a factor of significant interest for the Liberty Media-owned championship as it continues to target growth in the Chinese market.
Commenting on his move, Zhou said:
“I have worked with both Graeme and Valtteri for many years in various capacities, so joining the team feels like rejoining family.”
Zhou’s appointment strengthens Cadillac’s operational depth as the team prepares for its first season in Formula 1, while keeping the Chinese driver firmly within the sport’s top-level ecosystem.
