Zhou Guanyu has revealed why he relishes the challenge of being a reserve driver at Cadillac as the team prepares to enter its maiden Formula 1 season.
Despite the prospect of another year on the sidelines, Zhou Guanyu is preparing for a very different challenge at the fledgling Cadillac team.
The Chinese driver has joined General Motors’ first F1 venture for 2026 as test and reserve driver, and will assist the team developing its first challenger.
He will be reunited with former Sauber team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who he raced against for his three season on the F1 grid.
The presence of Bottas has proved to be vital in his acclimatisation to life at the sport’s newest team, with trust proving critical.
“We spoke a lot,” Zhou said of Bottas to formula1.com.
“We spent a lot of time [together], even when we were in different teams over the course of last year, so the three years I spent [in F1 were] really together with Valtteri.
“But at the same time I always worked together with Graeme, and that’s really what brings me the high trust over this project.
Working with a second race winner
Zhou will also work with former race winner for Red Bull Sergio Perez, the Chinese driver praising the Mexican’s credentials and what the trio of them can bring to Cadillac.
“I haven’t worked with Checo before – I know he’s a great driver,” he said.
“But the three of us were always very honest people, and also we’re very transparent with what’s going on behind the scenes.
“ So when you come into a massive chapter change over the rules, that’s what you really need.
“You need a team that can drive forward all together, rather than just focusing on an individual side of the garage for the, let’s say, single benefits and results. All that is really important.
“And as well, it’s a new team, so it just puts extra energy on it because you start from scratch.
“For me, it’s also a brand-new experience I’ve never been [in] before. I’m excited for what’s coming ahead, and looking forward to going back in the Charlotte factory, spend some simulator time, and also at Silverstone with all the engineers.”
“There will be simulator [work] going on,” he smiles. “I’ll be finally meeting up with all the staff members in the team after this announcement. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time now – I’m, let’s say, released in terms of I can just go there, start putting the hard work in, starting all the season from now.
“I’ll be very soon back in the factory, in the simulator, trying to give an idea how I feel and the comparison to all the recent and all the past experiences [I’ve had]. I’m looking forward to trying that and to meeting some new faces, some familiar faces, so everything will start very soon.”
Zhou Guanyu aims for Ferrari tenure to impact contribution at Cadillac
Racing exclusively for Sauber during his tenure on the grid, Zhou has extensive experience of Ferrari power units, the same that will power Cadillac.
Outlining the strength of his knowledge, Zhou hinted that he has begun to settle in at Cadillac despite only being in role for a short time.
“Since this new era of Formula 1 introduced in 2022, I was only driving with Ferrari engines, which I got really used to, and also while I was testing development for Ferrari last season, I was also trying their 2026 engines, so all these things come into play together,” he explained.
“I have a very precise idea and a feeling with feedback on how the engine, power unit, gearbox, everything works, and also the hydraulic system.
“When you change from engine to engine, that’s also one of the biggest things you need to adapt as a driver, because the way you downshift, the way you drive, the driving style, it’s going to be changing.
“You need to adapt, which, for me, I will be already up to date. I’m looking forward to seeing what is the biggest difference this year, because it’s going to be a big change.
“Even though we are a Ferrari power unit, I think every single manufacturer is going to develop over the years, so that’s going to be very important.
“I think this year is not about who can start on top; it’s all about, throughout the season, who can put the most efficient hours in terms of wind tunnel development and to have the most efficient benefits on the aerodynamics or improvements throughout the season.
“So that’s what I’m looking forward to, and also I don’t feel that I’m joining somewhere where everything I need to adapt to. 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.”
READ MORE: Zhou Guanyu delivers early verdict on Cadillac F1 preparations
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