Overview
- Cadillac confirmed the 26-year-old as its official backup for the team's 2026 Formula 1 debut on January 5.
- The signing follows Ferrari's announcement three days earlier that Zhou would not continue as its reserve for 2026.
- Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez are set as race drivers, while third driver Colton Herta currently lacks the Super Licence points required to deputize.
- Team principal Graeme Lowdon cited recent F1 mileage and season-long development know-how as the key reasons for selecting Zhou after a thorough process.
- Cadillac also named simulator drivers Pietro Fittipaldi, Simon Pagenaud and Charlie Eastwood, with tests set for Barcelona on Jan. 26–30 and Bahrain on Feb. 11–13 and Feb. 18–20 before Melbourne on Mar. 6–8.