Cadillac’s Formula 1 Project Takes Shape With New Signing as the Team Prepares Debut
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, Cadillac’s highly anticipated entry into the sport continues to gather attention, and the team has now taken a significant step forward by announcing a fresh addition to its driver roster. The American constructor, backed by General Motors and preparing for its debut in the world championship, has revealed that Zhou Guanyu — a driver who previously served with Ferrari — will join Cadillac in the role of reserve driver for their inaugural campaign.
Zhou, now 26 years old and originally from Shanghai, is perhaps best known for being the first and only full-time Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1. He began his F1 career with Sauber in 2022 and spent three seasons racing at the sport’s top level before becoming a reserve driver at Ferrari during the 2025 season. Although he didn’t compete in an actual Grand Prix for Ferrari — where the lead drivers in 2025 were Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — Zhou brought valuable experience to the team from his prior years on the grid and from his developmental work with Ferrari.
Joining Cadillac represents a new chapter for Zhou — both in terms of responsibility and opportunity. As reserve driver, he will serve as the key backup to the team’s two racing drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, who are set to form the full-time lineup for Cadillac’s first season in F1. Bottas, the experienced Finnish racer, returns to a full-time seat after a period as Mercedes’ reserve driver, while Pérez makes his own return to the grid after a year away from Formula 1 racing.
For Cadillac, a team taking the bold step of entering Formula 1 for the first time, assembling a strong and cohesive squad of drivers is as critical as developing the car itself. The decision to bring Zhou into the fold underscores the team’s belief that his background — including both his time as an F1 competitor and his recent stint with Ferrari — gives him qualities that could benefit Cadillac throughout the 2026 season.
In explaining why Zhou was selected, Cadillac’s team management pointed to several key factors. First and foremost is his experience operating at the highest level of motorsport; even though he wasn’t a primary race driver for Ferrari, his involvement in testing, simulator work, and driver support provided insights into the performance and handling of Formula 1 cars under the latest technical regulations. Furthermore, Zhou’s recent work with Ferrari — which will be supplying Cadillac with power units and gearboxes for 2026 — means that he already has practical familiarity with the team’s technical partner, an attribute that Cadillac views as highly advantageous as it enters the championship.
Another important aspect in the decision was Zhou’s existing relationship with members of the Cadillac driver roster, especially Bottas. The two previously raced together at Sauber, where they built a strong professional rapport over multiple seasons. Maintaining continuity with people he knows well was a factor that appealed to both the team and to Zhou himself. In interviews following the announcement, he emphasized his enthusiasm for the project and his trust in Cadillac’s direction — describing the new team as one that aims to compete seriously, not merely to take part.
On a personal level, transitioning into a reserve role after having been a full-time race driver wasn’t entirely straightforward for Zhou. He openly acknowledged that there were mental challenges related to stepping back from the grid — watching races from the sidelines rather than taking part directly — and balancing the desire to compete with the realities of supporting the team in a different capacity. Yet he also stated that he regards the position as a valuable opportunity to remain close to Formula 1 racing and to be well-placed to step back into a race role should the chance arise in the future.
From Cadillac’s perspective, building a reserve driver system that is effective and prepared is an essential element of long-term success. In modern Formula 1, reserve drivers do more than just fill in when needed; they work extensively with engineers, contribute to simulator work, and help refine car setups and technical feedback that can shape race strategies and development over a season. For a new team making its first foray into the intense, high-stakes world of Formula 1 competition, having someone like Zhou — who understands both the complexities of the sport and the expectations of top-tier team operations — is seen as a strategic asset.
Furthermore, Cadillac’s wider program reflects a blend of experience and fresh talent. While Bottas and Pérez bring years of racing history and knowledge to the track, Cadillac has also signed Colton Herta, a highly regarded American driver who is slated to compete in Formula 2 in 2026 as part of a long-term plan for potential elevation to the main Formula 1 lineup in the future. This combination of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming prospects signals Cadillac’s approach to building depth and continuity across its driver development pipeline as it takes its first steps on the world championship stage.
In summary, Cadillac’s announcement of Zhou Guanyu as reserve driver ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season marks a significant milestone for the team’s launch efforts. It brings a respected and experienced driver into a position of responsibility, one who has both navigated the challenges of racing at the sport’s highest level and gained developmental exposure with one of Formula 1’s most historic teams. As Cadillac prepares to compete against long-established constructors, the signing reflects a thoughtful strategy that blends technical familiarity, driver experience, and a vision for growth in the years ahead.
