The Perfect Fit

When Cadillac announced Zhou Guanyu as their reserve driver for their 2026 Formula One debut, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon used a telling phrase: Zhou « ticked all the boxes. » The selection process, according to Lowdon, was as thorough as the search for the team’s race drivers—and Zhou emerged as the ideal candidate for multiple reasons.

« Our process for selecting a Reserve Driver has been as thorough as the search for our Race Drivers, » Lowdon explained. « We wanted a candidate who had recent F1 driving experience, is prepared to work hard as part of a team and understands the challenges of developing a car throughout the season. Zhou fits the bill perfectly. »

The 26-year-old Chinese driver joins a Cadillac lineup that includes race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, plus test driver Colton Herta. But it’s Zhou’s unique combination of experience, familiarity, and recent Ferrari knowledge that made him stand out as the reserve driver choice.

The Ferrari Connection: A Perfect Combination

Perhaps the most significant factor in Zhou’s selection was his 2025 season spent as Ferrari’s reserve driver—crucial because Cadillac will use Ferrari power units and gearboxes in 2026.

This Ferrari experience carries extraordinary value for Cadillac. Zhou participated in Ferrari’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programs, completed extensive simulator work, and gained trackside experience throughout 2025. Most importantly, he tested the 2026 Ferrari power unit during development sessions, giving him detailed understanding of how the engine, gearbox, and hydraulic systems operate under the new regulations.

Zhou himself confirmed the significance of this continuity: « I have the people I worked with, the engine the same and also, like I’ve mentioned, many staff and engineers I worked with over the course of the years. Everything just feels already like I’m familiar with everyone. »

More Than Just Engine Knowledge

Zhou’s Ferrari experience extended beyond technical knowledge of the power unit. His time working alongside Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc provided insights into top-tier driving feedback and car setup—knowledge that will prove invaluable for a new team trying to establish itself in Formula One.

« The decision made last year [to join Ferrari] was because I can learn so much from them, » Zhou explained. « For me, in 2024 I was fighting at the bottom of the field, and then when you’re arriving into a top field team, you can see what they’re doing as a team differently compared to what has been in the past. »

Zhou emphasized that the learning wasn’t limited to driver performance: « It’s not just how drivers react over the weekend, it’s also the way you are setting up the team, the way the constructor works in the factory, and all the little details really matter. »

The Crucial Timing: 2026 Regulation Changes

Zhou’s Ferrari experience becomes even more valuable considering the massive regulation changes arriving in 2026. Formula One faces one of its largest technical resets in history, with completely new power unit and chassis regulations.

« This year is a massive rule change, so all this knowledge, experience we’ve had over the years, this can be a help if you’re comparing to a less experienced driver. »

Lowdon highlighted Zhou’s mental capacity to manage the complex demands of the new regulations: « He’s a very intelligent driver. With the new regulations, there’s a huge emphasis on managing the power unit and the tyres, and I’ve seen firsthand that Zhou has the mental capacity to really excel in those areas. »

The ability to absorb feedback and apply it over a race distance—particularly crucial with 2026’s emphasis on power unit and tire management—made Zhou an attractive candidate for a team facing the dual challenges of being new to Formula One while simultaneously adapting to revolutionary technical regulations.

The Familiarity Factor

Beyond technical knowledge, Zhou brings extensive familiarity with key Cadillac personnel. Lowdon has worked with Zhou for years as part of the Chinese driver’s management team. Zhou raced alongside Bottas for three full seasons at Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber from 2022-2024.

« Another factor that we look for is the chemistry between all of the drivers, and we know already that the relationship between Checo and Valtteri is a really strong one, » Lowdon said. « And I have no doubts as well that in selecting Zhou, based on seeing how he’s worked with Valtteri over the last few years, that that working relationship would be very conducive to the overall goals of the team. »

Zhou described joining Cadillac as « like rejoining family, » emphasizing the importance of these pre-existing relationships: « The main thing is that with this new team, I know for example Graeme [Lowdon], Valtteri and also a lot of engineers that work in the team. »

Recent, Relevant Experience

Lowdon stressed the importance of Zhou’s recent and continuous involvement in Formula One. Unlike some reserve drivers who spend extended periods away from F1 machinery, Zhou completed trackside duties, simulator work, and TPC testing throughout 2025 with Ferrari.

This continuity ensures Zhou remains race-ready and familiar with current Formula One standards, technical developments, and operational procedures. For a reserve driver role—where the primary responsibility is being prepared to step into the race car at a moment’s notice—this recent, relevant experience is invaluable.

The Reserve Role’s Importance

While Zhou won’t be on the 2026 grid as a race driver, Lowdon emphasized that the reserve role carries crucial importance for Cadillac, particularly given the new technical regulations and the challenges of launching a new team.

The reserve driver contributes to car development through simulator work, provides feedback on setup directions, participates in testing programs, and remains ready to substitute for race drivers if needed.

The Chinese Market Dimension

Zhou’s role extends beyond purely sporting considerations. As China’s first and so far only Formula One driver, his presence carries commercial and strategic significance for Cadillac.

The Chinese Grand Prix will be the second round of the 2026 season, taking place in Shanghai. Lowdon acknowledged the importance of Zhou’s involvement: « It’s a real pleasure for us to have Zhou at the heart of the team as we go into only our second-ever F1 race. »

A Proven Formula One Career

Zhou brings substantial Formula One experience to Cadillac. He competed in 68 Grands Prix between 2022 and 2024 with Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber, scoring points on seven occasions.

Lowdon, having observed Zhou closely for years, characterized him clearly: « I know he’s very, very committed. I’ve known Zhou for a while, so I know he’s very fast, very disciplined and very dedicated. »

The Complete Driver Lineup

Zhou completes a Cadillac driver lineup that Team Principal Lowdon describes as « the best driver lineup for us going into 2026. »

Race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez bring extensive experience from championship-winning teams—Bottas from his years at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton, and Perez from his time at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.

Looking Ahead

As Cadillac prepares for their Formula One debut, Zhou’s knowledge and experience will be tested immediately. Pre-season testing begins with closed-door sessions in Barcelona from January 26-30, followed by two public test sessions in Bahrain in February before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 6.

Zhou will be deeply involved in these preparations, contributing simulator work, setup direction feedback, and his Ferrari power unit expertise as Cadillac seeks to make the most competitive debut possible for a new team.

Lowdon has set realistic expectations, describing the team’s initial target as executing « as well as we possibly can and gain respect from the other competitors. » Zhou echoes these sentiments while emphasizing the long-term vision.

« I think when you have a new team, you can’t say that when you get to F1 for the first race, you’re going to be on top or you’re going to be fighting for a top 10 easily, » Zhou explained. « It’s about building on that. Many midfield teams started from scratch and they had to build on it, and it’s all about getting the right people and putting the team in the right place, not rushing everything. »

Conclusion

Graeme Lowdon’s assessment that Zhou Guanyu « ticked all the boxes » for Cadillac’s reserve driver role reflects a comprehensive evaluation that considered multiple factors.

Zhou’s recent Formula One experience—68 Grands Prix between 2022 and 2024—provided the foundation. His 2025 season as Ferrari reserve driver added crucial power unit knowledge directly applicable to Cadillac’s 2026 car. His long-standing relationships with Lowdon and Bottas ensured immediate familiarity and chemistry.

Most importantly, the convergence of Zhou staying in the « Ferrari power unit family » while joining a new team created what Lowdon described as « a perfect combination of ability, experience and extremely recent and relevant knowledge. »

As Formula One enters one of its most significant regulation changes in 2026, with Cadillac simultaneously making their debut as the sport’s 11th team, Zhou’s unique combination of attributes makes him precisely the reserve driver the American squad needs.

He didn’t just tick all the boxes—he ticked boxes Cadillac didn’t even know they needed until they found the perfect candidate already familiar with the Ferrari power unit that will power their debut season.