BYD’s Racing Ambition
Formula 1 is set to hold the second race of the 2026 season at the Shanghai International Circuit in China this weekend. But even for those who couldn’t care less about the race itself, a Bloomberg report points to an interesting development. According to unnamed sources cited by the publication, BYD is exploring the possibility of joining the sport, something no Chinese automaker has accomplished before.
BYD lining up on the same grid as Ferrari and McLaren sounds a little unreal, at least for now. However, the idea of a Chinese manufacturer entering F1 is something FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has already touched on, saying it would be the next logical step for the sport, especially after Cadillac debuted this season as the 11th team.
It is worth noting that BYD isn’t necessarily considering becoming the 12th team; one possibility is acquiring an existing team.
Electrification Changes the Game
While BYD is known for affordable electrified vehicles — including battery electric models that helped it beat Tesla in BEV sales in 2025 — the company has also tapped into the world of performance. In fact, its luxury division, Yangwang, currently holds the record for the fastest production EV around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany with the U9 Extreme, beating the Rimac Nevera’s lap time by about six seconds.
For the longest time, F1 has been famous for loud exhausts and cutting-edge aerodynamics, but the new 2026 engine regulations also heavily emphasize electrification, with power split roughly 50-50 between the 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 and the electric motor known as the motor-generator unit (MGU-K). As such, BYD may not be entirely out of its depth given its extensive electrified portfolio, and a strategic partner could help strengthen its bid.
BYD
Racing for Global Recognition
If BYD makes its way to F1, it would join automakers newly involved in the sport, such as Audi and Cadillac, while Ford has returned through its technical partnership with Red Bull Racing. More importantly, it could help boost the brand’s global appeal, as the series has long been deemed the pinnacle of motorsport and hosts races in more than 20 countries worldwide, including in Japan at the Suzuka Circuit and across several tracks in the United States.
In addition to F1, the Chinese automaker is also considering an entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. Such a move would put the reliability of its cars to the ultimate test.
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