{"id":217933,"date":"2026-01-05T14:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T14:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/217933\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T14:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T14:17:15","slug":"f1-news-cadillac-hints-at-former-ferrari-driver-zhou-guanyu-for-2026-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/217933\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 news: Cadillac hints at former Ferrari driver Zhou Guanyu for 2026 job"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Cadillac
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZhou Guanyu looks set to join Cadillac as a reserve driver in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

The American team, which will make its F1 debut this year, dropped a series of cryptic social media hints, fuelling speculation that the Chinese driver will join ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s most recent teaser featured a close-up of a cat\u2019s eye with the number 24 \u2013 Zhou\u2019s official F1 race number \u2013 and a subtle Cadillac logo, alongside the date Monday, 5 January, and the caption: \u201cReflections of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feline motif is widely believed to reference Zhou\u2019s well-known love of cats, while observers also noted that a December promotional image appeared to have a figure conspicuously edited out, suggesting Zhou may already be involved behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old made history as the first Chinese driver to compete in F1 with Alfa Romeo-Sauber between 2022 and 2024.<\/p>\n

He spent last season as Ferrari\u2019s reserve driver, backing up Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton while also completing a number of TPC outings.<\/p>\n

It was confirmed last week that Ferrari and Zhou had parted ways ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

A move to Cadillac would see Zhou reunited with his former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas, who was announced alongside Sergio Perez as the team\u2019s inaugural drivers last year, with IndyCar star Colton Herta added as the third driver while preparing for his first F2 season with Hitech.<\/p>\n

Herta lacks an F1 superlicence, however, leaving Cadillac in need of a reserve driver with recent F1 experience \u2013 a role Zhou would be perfectly suited for.<\/p>\n

Speaking last year, Zhou expressed his ambition to return to F1.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s very important to work with different people, different teams, so they understand your abilities,\u201d he told PlanetF1.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came here [to Ferrari], a lot of people didn\u2019t know the driver I was and the engineers are quite positive with all the feedback and the stuff I was able to bring, feedback with data, analysing, all of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s important just to stay in the paddock, but let more people understand the driver you are\u2026 Obviously, I think this year or next year are the big two years, especially next year, when there\u2019s new regulation changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut then there are a lot of drivers that will be a question mark for their future as well, so that\u2019s where I think the opportunities will come.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 68 F1 races, Zhou scored 16 points, set two fastest laps, and recorded a best finish of eighth twice, at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix and 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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