Chinese automotive giant BYD has officially confirmed that it is in active discussions to join Formula 1 (F1) racing. The confirmation was made by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li during the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. So, what should you know about it?
F1 is a strategic platform for the company to test its tech
For your information, he revealed that a meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had already taken place in Shanghai during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in March to discuss the opportunity in depth. According to Li, participating in F1 is seen as a strategic platform to test BYD's electric and hybrid technologies at the highest level.
Additionally, this is in line with the new F1 2026 regulations, which increase the contribution of electric power to almost 50 per cent. This transition aligns with BYD's core expertise in manufacturing batteries, motors, and power electronics, making it a strategic research and development (R&D) platform for the company.
BYD is currently considering several entry options, including:
- Building a new team as the 12th team
- Acts as a power unit supplier
- Take over or collaborate with existing teams, such as Alpine or Aston Martin
The operating costs of an F1 team are estimated to reach US$500 million per year, so BYD is seen as more likely to take the faster route through acquisitions.
Moreover, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem previously also supported the entry of manufacturers from China after General Motors (Cadillac) joined the grid as the 11th team from 2026. BYD's entry into F1 could be a historic moment as the first Chinese brand in the world's top motor sport, in addition to having a major impact in terms of marketing in the world's largest automotive market.
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