Zhou Guanyu couldn't be more thrilled about his latest career move, describing his transition to Cadillac F1 as a reserve driver as like "rejoining family." The Chinese driver's warmth and enthusiasm are palpable as he prepares to reunite with familiar faces who have shaped his Formula 1 journey.

Confirmed on January 5th, Zhou's signing with the American outfit marks a beautiful convergence of professional opportunity and personal connection. After spending 2025 as a reserve driver at Ferrari, Zhou is now set to work alongside his former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas and his long-time manager Graeme Lowdon, who serves as Cadillac's team principal.

The bond between Zhou and Bottas runs deep. The two drivers spent three meaningful years together at Alfa Romeo/Sauber, beginning with Zhou's F1 debut in 2022. "We spent a lot of time together, even when we were in different teams over the course of last year," Zhou shared warmly in an interview with F1.com. Their friendship has clearly transcended team boundaries, creating a foundation of trust and camaraderie.

What makes this opportunity especially special is Zhou's long-standing relationship with Lowdon. "I always worked together with Graeme, and that's really what brings me the high trust over this project," Zhou explained. This trust is particularly valuable as Cadillac prepares for its historic debut as F1's 11th team in 2026, navigating major rule changes and the challenges of building something entirely new.

Zhou's perspective on teamwork is refreshingly collaborative. He emphasized the importance of unity over individual glory, noting that successful navigation of the upcoming regulation changes requires "a team that can drive forward all together, rather than just focusing on an individual side of the garage." This team-first mentality, combined with the honesty and transparency he shares with Bottas and Lowdon, creates the perfect environment for success.

The technical aspects of the move also work beautifully in Zhou's favor. Cadillac will utilize Ferrari power units from its debut, and Zhou has exclusively raced with Ferrari engines since the current F1 era began in 2022. His recent development work with Ferrari in 2025, including testing their 2026 engines, gives him invaluable insight and a significant head start.

"Everything just feels already like I'm familiar with everyone," Zhou expressed with genuine excitement. The combination of trusted relationships, familiar technology, and the opportunity to build something from the ground up has created what appears to be an ideal situation for the talented driver.

Zhou's optimism extends to the team's prospects as well. He's looking forward to spending time at the Charlotte factory and Silverstone, working with engineers both new and familiar. Rather than focusing on immediate results, he's excited about the journey of development and improvement throughout the season.

As Cadillac prepares for its F1 debut, Zhou Guanyu stands as a symbol of how professional excellence and personal relationships can create something truly special in motorsport. His story reminds us that sometimes the best moves in life are the ones that feel like coming home.