Cadillac Gives Zhou Another Chance; He Will Debut in Barcelona

Guanyu Zhou is set to complete his first on-track laps for Cadillac during a Pirelli tyre test at the Barcelona circuit, marking a crucial opportunity for the Chinese driver who has been out of a full-time race seat since leaving Sauber. Team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed Zhou will drive the MAC-26 after the Spanish Grand Prix, following extensive simulator work.

Why it matters:

Zhou has spent the past two seasons as a reserve driver—first for Ferrari, then Cadillac—without a single competitive outing. This test offers a rare chance to demonstrate his pace and value to the American outfit, which already has Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas under long-term contracts. With young prospect Colton Herta waiting in the wings, Zhou needs to impress to keep his F1 hopes alive.

The details:

• Zhou will participate in a Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona-Catalunya, his first time driving Cadillac's 2026 car after months of simulator preparation.
• Lowdon expressed full confidence: "I've seen Zhou’s entire F1 career. I would have no qualms of putting him in the car if we had a problem with one of the race drivers."
• The team principal, who previously managed Zhou, described the test as "a good opportunity for us to see how he performs" and predicted the driver will "relish" the experience.
• Zhou's last race was the 2024 season finale with Sauber. He has since served as a reserve at Ferrari and now Cadillac, but no full-time seat materialized.

What's next:

• If Zhou performs well, it could strengthen his case for a future race seat—though Cadillac's driver lineup appears locked for now.
• Perez and Bottas are established veterans, and Herta's IndyCar credentials make him a strong candidate for any vacancy.
• For Zhou, this Barcelona test may be his best—and possibly last—chance to remind the paddock he belongs on the grid.