Formula 1 could gain a new manufacturer in the near future. Chinese manufacturer BYD is considering entering motorsport and has F1 as one of the strategic possibilities to expand its global presence, according to information released by Bloomberg.
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The interest arises at a time of technological transformation in the category. The new Formula 1 regulations, introduced this season, significantly increased the importance of the electrical part in hybrid power units, something that brings F1 closer to the electrified vehicle market, an area where BYD has become one of the world leaders.
According to the report cited by the publication, the Chinese company has not yet made a final decision on entering the sport. Motorsport appears as a possible path to strengthen the brand internationally, but the project is still in the evaluation phase and could even be discarded if the strategy does not move forward.
If it decides to move forward, BYD would have different paths to reach Formula 1. One of the options would be to create a team from scratch, following the same model recently adopted by Cadillac. Another alternative would be to acquire an existing team on the grid, a strategy similar to that used by Audi, which bought Sauber to ensure a presence in the category.
However, high costs represent a major obstacle. It is estimated that a full season in Formula 1 could require investments close to US$ 500 million, without considering the long negotiation processes and the bureaucratic steps necessary for the approval of new participants.
In addition to F1, the company could also opt for another prominent championship in world motorsport. The World Endurance Championship, the WEC, appears as a possibility, as it brings together some of the most traditional races on the planet, including the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The possibility of a Chinese manufacturer entering Formula 1 is seen with enthusiasm by the leadership of the International Automobile Federation. In an interview given last year to the French newspaper Le Figaro, the president of the entity, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, stated that he considers it important to expand the presence of major countries in the category.
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“It has been my dream for the last two years that major countries have a presence in Formula 1. The United States will be there with General Motors, with Cadillac. The next step is to welcome a Chinese manufacturer. We already have a driver,” said the official.
The Chinese presence in the category has grown in recent decades. The Shanghai International Circuit has hosted races since 2004 and the country had its first Formula 1 driver in 2022, when Guanyu Zhou debuted in the category. Currently a reserve driver for Cadillac, he competed in 68 grands prix until 2024.
If BYD moves forward with the project, the brand could become the first Chinese team in Formula 1 history. The move would also reinforce the growing presence of manufacturers in the category’s new technical era, which has already attracted names like Audi, Cadillac and Ford for the coming years.
In recent years, BYD has shown strong global growth with the sale of electric and hybrid cars, in addition to expanding its operations into the luxury segment. One example is the Yangwang U9 Xtreme model, which reached 496,22 km/h, one of the highest speeds recorded by a production car.
Despite this technological expansion, the company faces a challenging moment in the market. Recently, BYD recorded its largest monthly sales drop in six years, with a 41% reduction in registrations last month, the worst performance since February 2020, a period marked by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Brazil, however, the scenario follows the opposite direction, with the brand growing.
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