Ex-F1 star set to be given chance by Cadillac in Barcelona
Formula One can be an unforgiving sport at times, and drivers can be dropped at the drop of a hat, meaning that individuals must be at their best at every Grand Prix.
There are several drivers throughout the years that have shown promise but have not been able to establish themselves as major names in F1 as they fail to take their chance.
Drivers can then disappear into obscurity or move to other motorsports to carry on their career, never getting another chance to impress in F1.
However, one driver who has previously raced on the F1 circuit between 2022 and 2024 will now be given the chance behind the wheel of the Cadillac at the Barcelona Grand Prix.
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Zhou Guanyu, who is the reserve driver for Cadillac, is set to take part in testing at Barcelona, and the team principal explained his decision to GPBlog.
Graeme Lowdon said: “I know he'll be excited to get behind the wheel and just sample the new car.
“He's spent a lot of time doing simulator work, and obviously he comes to all the Grand Prix. I said before, right at the start, obviously I've seen Zhou’s entire Formula 1 career; I would have no qualms whatsoever about putting him in the car if we had a problem with one of the race drivers. Obviously, we hope we don't need to do that.
“It's a good opportunity for us to see how he performs on that test, and I'm sure he'll do very well.”
Zhou made it clear he wanted to continue in F1, apart from his contract with Sauber, which was not extended at the end of 2024, giving himself a one-year window in which to find another team.
The Chinese driver would join Ferrari as a test driver for the 2025 season before joining Cadillac this year.
Even if he does impress, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have long-term contracts there, so the chances with the Americans are slim; however, other teams will be monitoring the performances of drivers, so this is a chance to impress not just Cadillac.
Topics: Formula 1
Brendan McGilligan