Cadillac, Zhou is the added value: “I have always driven cars with Ferrari engines”

Goodbye Ferrari The news of his farewell to Ferrari arrived immediately at the beginning of 2026, but it was not a surprise. Zhou Guanyu’s career now continues in Cadillac, with the young Chinese driver however still remaining on the bench watching over the backs of the two regular drivers also in the new American team. A reality which, however, does not discourage Zhou, who in a long interview on the Formula 1 website, said he was enthusiastic about his own future prospects and those of the team: “I am really happy with this new project. In Cadillac I already know Graeme Lowdon very well (the team principal is also head of Equals Management Ltd, the company that has managed Zhou’s interests and sporting career up to now, ed.), Valtteri Bottas (his partner in Alfa Romeo and Sauber between 2022 and 2024, ed.) and many engineers who work in the team.” Zhou Guanyu speaks “They are not creating a team just to be on the track – adds the 26 year old – but they have the goal of bringing Cadillac among the best mid-table teams. And that’s what really attracted me. On the other hand, I think the team saw what I was able to do in the last year and what my role was, and I think this can really benefit both parties. Being the only reserve driver seems like the best opportunity to get back behind the wheel and, at the same time, I think that what I will be able to bring in terms of information, together with two highly experienced riders, can only make us grow.” Zhou Guanyu’s wealth of knowledge, then, is of a high level, if we think of the great knowledge of the functioning (at least of the simulator) of the Ferrari engine which will be used by Cadillac until at least 2028: “Since this new era of F1 began, I have only driven with Ferrari engines and I have become very accustomed to them. Last year I also tried the 2026 one, so I have a very precise idea of how the power unit, the gearbox and also the hydraulic system work. When you switch from one engine to another, this is also one of the most important things a rider has to adapt to but, as far as I’m concerned, I’ll already be up to speed. In any case, each manufacturer will improve over the years, so it won’t be about who starts in the lead, but who, over time, manages to dedicate more hours to development and obtain the greatest benefits.” Objective: to return to F1 as a starter The objective, however, is clearly to return to F1 as a starter as soon as possible: “It’s not that you think about it every week, at the beginning of the season you only focus on the commitment you have made and my current commitment is a completely new path with Cadillac F1. The final objective is to return to the track but, to achieve it, sometimes it is necessary to wait a bit. I will have to show the team what I will be able to do over the weeks and months, putting in my maximum effort. Sometimes opportunities present themselves sun, so I’m not rushing too much. Normally we discuss the future a couple of weeks before the summer break so now I just try to focus on the team.” “Soon I will finally meet all the staff members and I feel relieved, in the sense that I will be able to simply go to the factory and the simulator and start working hard,” concludes Zhou Guanyu.