Zhou Guanyu has joined Cadillac’s new System 1 staff as its official reserve driver forward of its debut season.
Cadillac has a race driver lineup of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, whereas Colton Herta is a check driver however unable to satisfy the position of reserve as he doesn’t presently have the required FIA Tremendous License factors to be allowed to race. That left a gap for an skilled reserve possibility, with Zhou signed following his latest departure from Ferrari.
Zhou was Ferrari reserve in 2025 having beforehand raced for Sauber – underneath the guises of Alfa Romeo and Stake – from 2022-2024. Throughout his time at Sauber, Zhou was teammate with Bottas and the pair loved a robust relationship driving what was typically uncompetitive equipment, whereas Cadillac staff principal Graeme Lowdon can be a part of the Chinese language driver’s administration staff.
“I’m delighted to affix the Cadillac System 1 Workforce as a reserve driver forward of its System 1 debut,” Zhou mentioned. “This is among the largest and most fun new initiatives that the game has ever seen.
“I’ve labored with each Graeme and Valtteri for a few years in numerous capacities, so becoming a member of the staff looks like rejoining household. Having had latest expertise on monitor and in creating the automobiles off monitor, I do know I can add large worth to the Cadillac System 1 Workforce, and I’m wanting ahead to supporting them one of the simplest ways that I can.”
Ferrari introduced Zhou was shifting on from the staff on January 2, with a social media publish saying: “Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s dedication and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the most effective forward.”
Lowdon says the addition of Zhou was one which Cadillac spent a whole lot of time deliberating, given the significance of an skilled reserve possibility.
“Our course of for choosing a reserve driver has been as thorough because the seek for our race drivers,” he mentioned. “We needed a candidate who had latest F1 driving expertise, is ready to work exhausting as a part of a staff and understands the challenges of creating a automotive all through the season. Zhou matches the invoice completely. He might be an incredible asset to us as we go racing in 2026 and we sit up for him being an integral a part of our staff.”
