The 26-year-old joined the American manufacturer shortly after Ferrari confirmed his departure, following a season spent as a reserve driver with the Italian team.
Zhou’s arrival gave Cadillac a driver with recent Formula 1 race and development experience as it prepared for life on the grid.
Zhou became the first Chinese driver in Formula 1 when he made his debut with Sauber in 2022. He remained with the Hinwil-based team for three seasons, making 68 race starts and scoring 16 championship points. His strongest results came with eighth place finishes at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix and the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, performances that underlined his ability to deliver when opportunities arose.
A key factor in the move was Zhou’s long-standing relationship with Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon, who had managed the driver for several years. That familiarity was reflected in Zhou’s reaction to the announcement.
He said joining Cadillac was “one of the biggest and most exciting new projects that the sport has ever seen”, adding that working again with Lowdon, and alongside familiar figures in the paddock, felt like “rejoining family”.
Zhou also believed his recent background made him a strong fit for a new team preparing from the ground up. “Having had recent experience on track and in developing the cars off track, I know I can add huge value to the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” he explained.
Earlier in 2025, Zhou made it clear that his ambitions remained firmly focused on racing. He said his “ultimate goal is to be back on the grid” and stressed that he would “absolutely take it” if a race opportunity emerged.
For Cadillac, Zhou’s signing provided experience, continuity and a driver fully motivated to help shape the team’s first steps in Formula 1.
