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Ada Li

Formula 1 could welcome its first Chinese team in the coming seasons with electric vehicle giant BYD planning to enter the sport.
The carmaker is looking into a minority stake in an existing team or potentially launching a completely new team.
BYD has also reportedly approached Christian Horner, the former team principal of Red Bull Racing, after he met with Stella Li, executive vice-president, and Chairman and Chief Executive Wang Chuanfu at a company event in Cannes.
Reports first emerged in March that BYD was exploring entry into F1.
Li said at the time: “Do not be surprised, we are still researching this possibility. Getting involved in the world’s top-level motorsport series would fit our technology-first strategy.”
In April, Li said BYD was examining three options: forming its own team, becoming a power unit supplier or entering as a major F1 partner.

She added that the firm had met Stefano Domenicali, president and Chief Executive of F1, during the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai and had maintained close contact.
“I like Formula One because it’s about passion, culture and people’s dreams of being part of it,” Li said. “Yes, it’s something we’re discussing. It’s a real opportunity to test our technology.”
Reports last week indicated that BYD was among the potential buyers of a 24 per cent stake in Alpine and linked to the purchase of Renault’s engine factory.
Renault withdrew from supplying F1 engines after the 2025 season, with Alpine switching to Mercedes power units.
Alpine is currently 76 per cent owned by the Renault Group and 24 per cent by the private equity firm Otro Capital, which is actively seeking a buyer.
The stake is subject to a three-year lock-up period, expiring in September 2026, after which the shares will enter a tradeable window.
BYD is understood to be competing with other bidders such as Mercedes for the Alpine stake.
Insiders, however, said the company’s current focus is not on acquiring a minority holding in an existing team, but on the prospect of establishing a brand‑new F1 team under its own name.
Industry estimates suggest that founding and running a F1 team can cost around US$500 million per season.
General Motors recently paid US$450 million to secure Cadillac’s place as the 11th team on the grid for 2026, and that figure does not include wider research, development and running costs.
Yet the potential benefits for BYD are clear.
The 2026 F1 season introduced a new power unit regulation, increasing the share of electrical output in the hybrid system, with around 50 per cent of power now coming from the electric motor.
This shift aligns far more closely with BYD’s core business than the previous rules.
While BYD has performed well in overseas markets, its brand recognition in Europe, Australia and other mature regions still lags behind.
The extreme technical demands and global attention of F1 could act as a powerful “technology endorsement” platform, helping the company raise its profile and break into mainstream Western markets.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, has long pushed for the grid to expand to 12 teams, with at least one American and one Chinese entry.
Last year, Ben Sulayem said he would support a Chinese bid.
“If there is a Chinese bid, I will speak on behalf of Formula One Management now – they will agree on that because it is good for business,” he said.
Regardless of which route BYD ultimately chooses, the picture is expected to become clearer around September, when the Alpine shareholding becomes tradeable and the application window for the 12th F1 team opens.


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Former team principal of Red Bull Racing Christian Horner also reportedly approached by the electric vehicle maker at an event in Cannes


Former team principal of Red Bull Racing Christian Horner also reportedly approached by the electric vehicle maker at an event in Cannes.


Renault

Red Bull GmbH

Chinese car giant BYD eyes Alpine route among possible roads into Formula 1

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Former team principal of Red Bull Racing Christian Horner also reportedly approached by the electric vehicle maker at an event in Cannes

Former team principal of Red Bull Racing Christian Horner also reportedly approached by the electric vehicle maker at an event in Cannes