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Ferrari are now facing an urgent search for a new reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season following Zhou Guanyu’s decision to join Cadillac for the American manufacturer’s debut campaign in the sport. Zhou had been appointed Ferrari’s reserve driver for 2025 after his release from Sauber at the end of the 2024 season. However, the 26-year-old has opted to pursue a new opportunity with Cadillac, where he will serve as reserve driver to Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
Cadillac will make its Formula 1 debut in 2026, marking the first season with 11 teams on the grid since 2016. The General Motors-backed team confirmed Perez and Bottas as their race drivers in August and subsequently added former IndyCar standout Colton Herta as their test driver in September. Zhou’s addition completes Cadillac’s initial F1 lineup under CEO Dan Towriss and team principal Graeme Lowdon. The move had been anticipated for some time, as Zhou brings valuable knowledge of Ferrari’s engine and gearbox that Cadillac can leverage in their first years while building toward a factory power unit division planned for 2029.
Zhou’s departure leaves Ferrari with a pressing need to appoint a new reserve driver for 2026, according to The Mirror. The Maranello team must find a driver capable of supporting both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc while taking on the essential testing and development duties Zhou carried out during 2025.
Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Dino Beganovic has emerged as a strong candidate to fill the vacancy, having already made two FP1 appearances with the Scuderia. Yet Rafael Camara, another Ferrari Driver Academy talent, is increasingly being considered and is reportedly making himself difficult for the team to overlook. The 20-year-old Brazilian is set to compete in his rookie FIA Formula 2 season in 2026, following a record-breaking 2025 FIA Formula 3 campaign in which he became the first driver to secure the F3 title with a round to spare since the series was rebranded in 2019. Camara has been under consideration for a Formula 1 reserve role since his F3 title triumph, highlighting Ferrari’s confidence in his potential.
While Ferrari also retains Antonio Giovinazzi under contract, the Italian’s commitments in the World Endurance Championship create scheduling conflicts that previously necessitated Zhou’s presence for F1 testing and development duties. During 2025, Zhou contributed to Ferrari’s Pirelli tyre tests in preparation for the 2026 regulations and participated in a filming day at Mugello to assess rear suspension upgrades, establishing him as an integral part of the team’s technical programme.
With Zhou leaving, Ferrari will likely turn to either Beganovic or Camara to fill the reserve driver role in 2026. Both drivers are eligible for an FIA Superlicence and will compete in Formula 2 next season, with Beganovic driving for DAMS in his second F2 campaign and Camara joining Invicta Racing, which secured the F2 championship with Gabriel Bortoleto in 2024 and Leonardo Fornaroli in 2025. Camara’s impressive record as a rookie F3 champion, combined with his potential to contribute to testing and development work, makes him a compelling option for Ferrari as they plan for their 2026 Formula 1 season.
Jan 6, 2026
