Formula 1 Rumor: Cadillac team to sign Zhou Guanyu as Reserve Driver
January 2, 2026 – The Formula 1 silly season isn’t over yet, and the paddock is buzzing with fresh speculation surrounding the new Cadillac team ahead of their 2026 grid debut.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Sources close to the American outfit suggest that Cadillac is on the verge of announcing Zhou Guanyu as a reserve and test driver, just hours after Ferrari confirmed the Chinese driver’s departure from their reserve role for the upcoming season.
The rumor gained traction today when Cadillac posted a cryptic teaser on social media: a close-up image of a cat’s eye with the caption “Reflections of the future.” Embedded in the reflection is the number 24 – Zhou’s long-standing F1 race number – alongside the Cadillac logo and the date January 5, hinting at an imminent reveal.
View this post on Instagram
Fans quickly connected the dots, especially given Zhou’s well-known love for cats (his beloved pet is named Sweetcorn) and the timing of his Ferrari exit. Comments flooded in speculating “Zhou as third driver?” and references to “Sweetcorn’s eyes,” fueling the fire.
Zhou, 26, spent 2025 as Ferrari’s reserve alongside Antonio Giovinazzi after losing his full-time seat at Sauber (now Audi) at the end of 2024. Ferrari issued a gracious farewell today: “Grateful for Zhou Guanyu’s commitment and contribution as Ferrari Reserve Driver this season! Wishing him all the best ahead.” Zhou had hoped the role would position him for a 2026 race return, with Cadillac often mentioned due to team principal Graeme Lowdon’s past management ties to the driver and the team’s Ferrari customer engine deal.
Cadillac’s confirmed 2026 race lineup is the experienced duo of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with IndyCar star Colton Herta already named as a test/reserve driver who will also contest Formula 2. Adding Zhou would bolster the team’s depth, bringing valuable Ferrari power unit knowledge, five years of F1 experience, and significant commercial appeal in the massive Chinese market.
The January 5 announcement comes ahead of Cadillac’s full livery reveal, planned for a high-profile Super Bowl TV advert on February 8. If the rumors hold, Zhou’s addition would be a smart, low-risk move for the newcomers – keeping him in the paddock while providing stability behind their veteran race drivers.
As always in F1, nothing is official until it’s announced… but all signs point to the cat being out of the bag soon. Stay tuned for January 5!