Vice president of the Chinese giant signals dialogues with the category's leadership; New regulation focused on hybrid propulsion attracts battery maker
Chinese giant BYD is officially evaluating joining Formula 1 in the near future. Confirmation of the initial negotiations came from Li Ke, executive vice president of the automaker, who signaled to the IThome website dialogues with the sport’s high command, including meetings with CEO Stefano Domenicali. The move comes at a time of regulatory transition in the elite of motorsport, which will demand greater parity between combustion and electric propulsion.
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The interest of the Chinese manufacturer is anchored in the new technical rules that have been coming into force in the new cycle of the category. This is because, as of this year, hybrid power units should have almost 50% of their delivery dependent on electricity, with a massive focus on recovery and load management — precisely BYD’s technical specialty. For the brand, Formula 1 would no longer be just a marketing exercise to become a validation laboratory in extreme conditions for its street propulsion systems.
The automaker is still considering the operating model on the grid. The alternatives under study range from the formation of its own team to acting as an engine supplier for established teams. Brand sponsorship is also considered as an immediate route to secure presence in the paddock while engineering develops the technical components needed for the competition.
Although BYD ended 2025 with a record 4.6 million vehicles sold, the company faces a start to 2026 marked by a downturn in global deliveries. In this context, the exhibition in motorsport’s top category is seen as the ideal stage for the launch of the Formula X (FCB) supercar, scheduled for 2027. The final decision will depend on the feasibility of integrating track technology into the brand’s long-term strategy, consolidating its image as a benchmark in high performance.
