Zhou Guanyu is in a well-connected position to land a drive at the Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026 after losing his drive with Sauber at the end of last year.
Cadillac is set to join the F1 grid next year as the first new team since Haas entered the sport in 2016.
With two extra sports open on next year’s grid, the door is ajar for several drivers to return to F1 after losing drivers last year, including Zhou, his former Sauber team-mate Valtteri Bottas and ex-Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.
But out of those three, Zhou has two trump cards to play in the form of Cadillac Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and power unit provider Ferrari, which will supply F1’s newest team until its own powertrain is ready in 2029.
Zhou is managed by Lowdon and currently serves as a Ferrari reserve driver, putting him in a strong position to land a Cadillac driver next year.
Still, that doesn’t mean Zhou is seeing his connections as a guarantee he will land a drive.
“I’m really happy, of course, that Graeme is the principal of Cadillac,” Zhou said (via Racing News 365).
“But that doesn’t mean I’m definitely linked with the team because, at the end of the day, the overall decision is taken by different people.
“I’m just doing my thing with Ferrari and trying to focus on the job here, and when there’s a chance, I’m always going to be fully committed to it.
“My ultimate goal is to be back on the grid but I think it’s nice to have a season, after a very difficult and strange season, to take a step down.
“A lot of drivers on the grid now are having very long contract extensions. Hopefully I can be one of them in the future.”
Ex-F1 race winner picks Zhou in proposed Cadillac lineup
Ex-F1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya has outlined Zhou as one of two drivers that could land a seat at Cadillac next season.
The Colombian names Zhou alongside Perez, who things would be a “great fit” for F1’s newest team.
Perez would bring a wealth of experience to the Cadillac line-up, not to mention his passionate following from Mexico which comes in tandem with hefty commercial backing.
Regarding Zhou, Montoya believes the Chinese driver would bring important knowledge of the Ferrari power unit to aid Cadillac’s introduction to F1.
“I think Sergio Perez would be a great fit for Cadillac, and I bet you money the next guy might be Zhou Guanyu,” Montoya told Instant Casino.
“They would be a perfect fit. Guanyu is the Ferrari reserve.
“So, he’ll be driving, developing and working. He’ll know everything about Ferrari, and they’re going with a Ferrari engine.
“So, if you look at it from that point of view, it would make sense.”
Cadillac will reportedly unveil its 2026 colours during this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, with Perez rumoured to be in attendance as the Mexican nears a move to the American outfit.
READ MORE – Mario Andretti indicates Sergio Perez among Cadillac F1 options
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