Cadillac announce new driver signing ahead of F1 debut

Cadillac has announced the signing of Zhou Guanyu, with the 26-year-old joining as a reserve driver for F1’s newest outfit.

Zhou’s move to Cadillac comes just a couple of days after his exit from Ferrari was confirmed by the Scuderia, having served as its reserve driver last season.

F1’s first Chinese driver boasts a strong relationship with Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon, who has been Zhou’s manager for several years.

By signing Zhou, Cadillac gains a reserve driver with experience at the pinnacle of motorsport, something test driver Colton Herta does not yet have.

Zhou spent three seasons on the F1 grid with Sauber from 2022 to 2024, before both he and Valtteri Bottas lost their seats to Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

He scored 16 points across 68 starts for the Hinwil-based team, with his best results being eighth place at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix and the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.

Moving to Cadillac has seen Zhou reunited with his former team-mate, who will race for the American squad in the upcoming season alongside Sergio Pérez.

"I am delighted to join the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Reserve Driver ahead of its Formula 1 debut," said Zhou. "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."