About this episode

Colton Herta and Zhou Guanyu discuss the roles of Test and Reserve Drivers in Formula 1 ahead of Cadillac's home race in Miami.

What’s the difference between a ‘Test Driver’ and a ‘Reserve Driver’? Well, who better to answer that than Cadillac Test Driver Colton Herta and Reserve Driver Zhou Guanyu? Colton and Zhou join Christian Hewgill ahead of Cadillac’s first home race in Miami to answer your questions about Formula 1. How does F2 compare to Colton’s previous career in IndyCar? What’s it like working with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez? Who replaces a driver if they are injured or ill? How close is simulator performance to the real car? And why do drivers sometimes plunge themselves into ice baths after a race? Send your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.com Experience F1 live in 2026 Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

People in this episode

Host: Christian Hewgill

Guests: Colton Herta, Zhou Guanyu

Topics covered

• Test Drivers
• Reserve Drivers
• Formula 1
• IndyCar
• F2
• Miami Grand Prix

Keywords

• Test Driver
• Reserve Driver
• Colton Herta
• Zhou Guanyu
• Formula 1
• IndyCar
• F2
• Miami

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cadillac, Formula 1, F1, F1 Beyond The Grid, F1 Nation

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