Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is studying the possibility of entering top-level motorsport competitions such as Formula 1 or the World Endurance Championship to strengthen the brand’s international profile, Bloomberg reported today.
The news agency, citing people familiar with the matter, said the company is analysing different ways of participating in these championships, including building a team from scratch or acquiring an existing one.
A potential Formula 1 entry would mark the direct participation of a Chinese manufacturer in a championship historically dominated by European and American teams.
According to sources cited by the agency, one of the main obstacles would be the high cost of developing and operating a team, which could reach $500 million (€430 million) per season.
BYD’s interest comes at a time when motorsport is moving towards more complex hybrid systems — an area in which the Chinese manufacturer has developed its own technology for its electric and hybrid vehicles. Formula 1 introduced new engine regulations this season that increase the role of electric energy in hybrid power units, a reform designed to attract new manufacturers such as Audi, which entered the championship this year.
BYD, which has rapidly expanded its international sales in recent years and is also seeking to position itself in the luxury segment, has not publicly confirmed the plans mentioned in the report.
A potential Formula 1 entry could raise BYD’s visibility in markets such as the United States, where it currently does not sell passenger cars due to tariffs and trade restrictions.
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Interest in Formula 1 has also grown in China in recent years. The Shanghai Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2024 after four seasons of absence due to the country’s pandemic restrictions. Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver in Formula 1 history since his debut in 2022, is currently a reserve driver at Cadillac, one of the teams making their debut this season.
