Zhou Guanyu spent the 2025 season as Ferrari’s reserve driver, participating in TPC tests and attending Grand Prix with the team. However, it has been announced that his time at Maranello has come to an end.
The Chinese driver lost his Sauber seat at the end of 2024, with the Swiss team opting to sign Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for a fresh line-up.
Since then, Zhou has attempted to position himself for a return to the grid. The 25-year-old is now expected to join Cadillac as reserve driver, capitalising on important links he has with the team.
Zhou looks to position himself in 2026 driver market
Plenty of activity can be expected in this year’s driver line-up, not least from Cadillac. The American team will make their F1 debut in arguably the most competitive era in Formula 1.
Gone are the days when several teams were confined to being backmarkers. Even the team who finished rock bottom in last year’s standings, Alpine, scored points on several occasions throughout the year.
For Cadillac, making it to the track with a reliable, respectable package is the first objective. After this, the team led by Graeme Lowdon will aspire to score points and establish themselves in the midfield.
This is where drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez come into play. Aside from their victory and podium count, this duo brings more experienced than most others in the sport’s history.
In theory, this makes them ideal candidates to lead a new team. Cadillac will turn to this pairing to lead them over the next twelve months, particularly in terms of feedback and guiding their development.
However, this does not mean the US squad will ignore other options for 2027 and beyond. Colton Herta will race in Formula 2 this year, a move that can only be interpreted as a first step to become eligible for an F1 seat in 2027.
Although Cadillac insist Herta must earn any potential F1 contract, the interest for an American driver in F1 is clearly present.
Zhou’s links to Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon
Elsewhere, Zhou Guanyu is expected to join the team as a reserve driver. Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac team prinicpal, was a part of Zhou’s management team.
The British engineer oversaw the first years of the Chinese driver’s career in Formula 1. Considering Zhou’s reasonable experience, it seems logical for the 25-year-old to become part of Cadillac’s ranks.
During the early months of 2025, Zhou was actually seen as a contender to join Cadillac for 2026. However, the desire for two experienced drivers eventually saw Bottas and Perez prioritised in negotiations.
Still, the former Ferrari reserve has reason to believe there could be an opening in 2027. Depending on Colton Herta’s performance in Formula 2, Zhou could be the first option Cadillac turn to if they want to freshen up their line-up.
Of course, this is nothing more than speculation at this stage. Predicting how the driver market will evolve over the next twelve months is extremely difficult.
Despite this, there is no shortage of evidence pointing to Zhou as Cadillac’s choice for reserve driver.
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Main photo: Ferrari Media Gallery