Zhou Guanyu took a crucial step toward reclaiming a full-time Formula 1 seat on Wednesday, as Ferrari confirmed he would be sharing reserve driver duties with Antonio Giovinazzi for the 2025 season.
The 2024 driver market was highly volatile, with Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari triggering a domino effect that reshaped team lineups across the paddock.
Zhou’s former team, Sauber, endured a dismal season, finishing at the bottom of the constructors’ championship with just four points. Those points came courtesy of Zhou’s stellar drive at the Qatar Grand Prix, but his efforts weren’t enough to secure his place in the squad. Instead, Sauber opted for an all-new lineup of Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Throughout the season, Zhou remained vocal about his desire to stay in Formula 1, though he acknowledged that his chances of retaining his seat with the soon-to-be Audi-run team were slim.
A new report from Motorsport Italia has shed light on Zhou’s future ambitions and how his Ferrari move may be a stepping stone toward his ultimate objective—racing for Cadillac when the team enters Formula 1 in 2026.
Zhou Guanyu’s Ambition: A Cadillac Race Seat in 2026
Ferrari has brought Zhou onboard to share reserve duties with Antonio Giovinazzi, who will have occasional conflicts due to his commitments in the World Endurance Championship. The Motorsport Italia report suggests that Zhou’s long-term goal is to secure a seat with Cadillac in 2026, and his latest move could significantly boost his chances of achieving that objective.
Cadillac will debut in Formula 1 next season using Ferrari power units while General Motors continues the development of its own engines. This arrangement mirrors Ferrari’s partnership with Haas, which played a key role in Oliver Bearman’s rise to a full-time F1 drive. Another major factor in Zhou’s favor is that his manager, Graeme Lowdon, has been appointed as Cadillac’s team principal, further strengthening his ties to the American outfit.
However, while Zhou has a strong connection to the project, Cadillac is also keen on fielding an American driver. Colton Herta is among the frontrunners for a race seat, and while direct comparisons between Herta and Zhou remain speculative, the Chinese driver’s prior F1 experience could be a decisive advantage in securing the second slot on the team.
Zhou Guanyu’s Role with Ferrari in 2025
While Zhou’s addition to Ferrari’s roster isn’t a crucial aspect of their 2025 season strategy, his presence enhances the team’s depth in case either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc is unavailable.
Antonio Giovinazzi and Formula 2 prospect Dino Beganovic recently participated in a Ferrari test session in Barcelona, where Hamilton and Leclerc also ran a Pirelli tire test. Zhou’s return to Ferrari is notable, as he was part of their driver academy from 2014 to 2018 before moving on to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
At present, Zhou is not scheduled to compete in any racing series alongside his reserve role. However, should he seek race experience in another category, it would need to align with weekends when Antonio Giovinazzi is available for Ferrari’s F1 commitments.
His management team pushed aggressively to keep him within the Formula 1 ecosystem, and at one point, Zhou was even linked to a reserve role with Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton has previously spoken highly of Zhou, and working alongside the seven-time world champion could prove invaluable as the Chinese driver prepares for a potential return to the grid in 2026—potentially as part of Formula 1’s newest team.
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