BYD Reportedly Considering F1 Entry, Acquiring Existing Team as Potential Path

Bloomberg recently cited sources saying that Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is considering entering Formula 1 racing to boost its international brand recognition and support global market expansion.

BYD Electric Vehicles

The report states that BYD is exploring multiple ways to participate, including establishing its own racing team or acquiring an existing F1 team. An insider from BYD responded to The Paper that there are no official announcements at this time. So far, BYD has not denied the media reports.

The rumors of BYD entering F1 are driven by its strong market performance and urgent need for global expansion. In 2025, BYD surpassed Tesla (1.63 million units) with 2.25 million pure electric vehicle sales, becoming the world’s top seller in pure electric cars, with overseas sales exceeding 1 million for the first time, a 150% increase year-over-year.

According to plans, BYD will continue to expand its global presence in 2026, including entering new markets, optimizing regional branding strategies, and building manufacturing plants locally. The overseas annual sales target will be raised to 1.3 million units.

Despite solid market results, BYD’s overseas brand awareness still needs improvement. Industry analysts believe that the global exposure from F1 could help BYD quickly break down barriers in overseas markets and let more consumers recognize its technological strength.

Additionally, rule changes in the 2026 F1 season provide favorable conditions for BYD’s entry. It is reported that the new season will introduce comprehensive power unit regulations, significantly increasing the electrical components in hybrid systems. The new MGU-K motor will boost power from 120kW to 350kW for the rear wheels, with nearly 50% of the power unit’s output now coming from electric motors.

This change aligns well with BYD’s core strengths—its Yangwang U9 supercar, with a maximum power close to 3,000 horsepower and a top speed of 472 km/h (293 mph), demonstrates its high-performance electric technology.

Bloomberg also revealed that BYD is evaluating participation in the World Endurance Championship (including the 24 Hours of Le Mans), which fits the trend of Chinese automakers increasingly focusing on global racing. Currently, Chery’s Exeed brand has signed a strategic partnership with ACO, the organizer of Le Mans, planning to enter the race in phases; Geely’s Lynk & Co brand has also entered endurance racing. Chinese automakers are accelerating their presence in top-tier global racing events.

Speculation suggests that if BYD chooses to acquire a team to participate in both F1 and WEC, the Alpine team, which announced its withdrawal from WEC after the 2026 season, could be a potential target.

Industry experts believe that if BYD ultimately decides to enter F1, it would be a rare case of a Chinese automaker competing in this predominantly Western-dominated sport. Not only would it enhance brand influence, but it would also promote the display and exchange of Chinese electric vehicle technology on the world’s top racing stages, injecting new momentum into its global expansion.