Guanyu Zhou will race for Alfa Romeo next season, the Ferrari-powered Swiss team has announced.
The 22-year-old is currently a test driver for Renault-owned Alpine and is also competing in Formula Two, where he is second overall with two events still to come in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
Zhou will become the first Chinese driver in Formula One when he lines up alongside experienced Finnish competitor Valtteri Bottas, who is joining Alfa Romeo from Mercedes after five seasons as team-mate to seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"I dreamt from a young age of climbing as high as I can in a sport that I am passionate about and now the dream has come true," said Zhou.
"It is a privilege for me to start my Formula One racing career with an iconic team, a team that has introduced so much young talent into Formula One in the past.
"Now the dream is reality. I feel well prepared for the immense challenge of Formula One, the pinnacle of my sport, alongside a proven, world-class talent in Valtteri Bottas.
"Next year the target will be to learn as much as possible and as quickly as possible.
"To be the first ever Chinese driver in Formula One is a breakthrough for Chinese motorsport history. I know a lot of hopes will be resting on me and, as ever, I will take this as motivation to become better and achieve more."
