With the support of the president of the FIA, the Asian giant is studying to create its own team or supply engines in a new phase of motorsport
Chinese automaker BYD is considering entering the top echelon of world motorsport, with preliminary studies targeting Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), according to Bloomberg. The offensive on the tracks represents a new step in the manufacturer’s strategy to consolidate its brand recognition on a global scale, going beyond the electric passenger vehicle segment.
The interest reflects the recent regulatory changes in the top category of motorsport, which now requires more advanced hybrid systems, in line with the company’s expertise. The move also surfs on the growing popularity of F1 in China, driven by the return of the Shanghai GP and the passage of driver Zhou Guanyu through the category between 2022 and 2024. Behind the scenes, there is still no definition of whether BYD would form a factory team of its own or act as a supplier of power units and technology to teams already established on the grid.
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If realized, the move would mark one of the most ambitious attempts by a Chinese brand in a sport historically dominated by European automakers. Local competitors are already flirting with the sector: Geely operates in international tourism via Cyan Racing (a former partner of Volvo), while Nio won the inaugural Formula E drivers’ championship in 2015.
The challenge, however, comes up against financial and technological barriers. Building a competitive operation in Formula 1 requires years of research and budgets that can reach US$ 500 million per season. Parallel to the tracks, BYD is already testing its high-performance capacity on asphalt with the U9 hypercar, from the luxury sub-brand Yangwang, which recently underwent rigorous dynamic tests at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany.
The political path, however, seems favorable. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA (International Automobile Federation), has already declared support for the entry of a Chinese team. From the entity’s point of view, after approving the entry of the American Cadillac on the grid, the accession of an Asian giant would be the natural step for the definitive global expansion of the category.
