Overview
- The team confirmed Zhou's signing days after his Ferrari exit, reuniting him with team principal Graeme Lowdon and former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas.
- Zhou is the immediate race-ready backup to Sergio Perez and Bottas because test driver Colton Herta lacks the FIA superlicence and will compete in Formula 2 to accrue points.
- He brings 68 F1 starts and 16 points from 2022–24 with Sauber, plus 2025 reserve duties at Ferrari that dovetail with Cadillac’s use of Ferrari engines and gearboxes in 2026.
- Lowdon described Zhou as "very, very fast" and said the choice followed a rigorous selection process, with Zhou’s profile also enhancing Cadillac’s visibility in China.
- Cadillac’s buildup features pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain ahead of the March opener in Melbourne, supported by simulator drivers Simon Pagenaud, Pietro Fittipaldi and Charlie Eastwood.