Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 6 January 2026
Zhou Guanyu has been confirmed as the reserve driver for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team in the upcoming 2026 season.
Guanyu joins Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in the American team, who will serve as the primary drivers.
Colton Herta is also part of mix, serving as the team’s test driver.
The 26-year old joins Cadillac after leaving Ferrari, where he served as the reserve driver for the 2025 season.
Guanyu has had plenty of seat time in the category, competing in 68 race weekends between 2022 and 2024, first with Alfa Romeo, then Sauber.
As China’s first, and only Formula 1 driver, Guanyu found reasonable success on the grid, scoring points on his debut in Bahrain.
He also managed to score Sauber’s only points for the 2024 season, which came during an eighth-place finish in Qatar.
“I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut,” Zhou said.
“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 [Bottas] 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.”
