Chinese automotive giant BYD may be preparing to make a move into Formula 1, and recent developments suggest the company is seriously exploring its options.
Speculation intensified during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix when BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li was spotted meeting with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. While the contents of the discussion remain private, the timing and high-profile nature of the meeting have fueled rumors that BYD is considering a future role in the world’s premier motorsport series.
According to reports, BYD is evaluating multiple pathways into Formula 1. One possibility is joining the championship as the 12th team on the grid. Another, and perhaps more realistic option, is partnering with an existing team as a title sponsor or technical partner.
A full team entry would require a substantial financial investment, extensive motorsport expertise, and years of preparation. Although BYD has become one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, building an F1 team from scratch would be a massive undertaking, especially in a sport dominated by established organizations with decades of experience.
The partnership route appears far more practical
Recent examples include Ford’s collaboration with Red Bull Racing and Toyota’s technical relationship with Haas. BYD could leverage Formula 1’s global audience while gaining valuable engineering exposure without the burden of operating a complete racing team.
Adding even more intrigue to the story are reports that BYD has held discussions with former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. Horner is widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s most successful leaders, having overseen multiple championship-winning campaigns during his tenure at Red Bull.
Should BYD decide to enter Formula 1 in a significant capacity, Horner’s involvement could provide the experience and credibility needed to launch the project successfully. Some reports even suggest he could take on a leadership or ownership role if a BYD-backed team eventually materializes.
As for potential partners, several teams could be candidates. Williams has been actively rebuilding its competitiveness and could benefit from a major technical or financial partner. Alpine could also emerge as an option in the future, depending on its long-term strategy. A straightforward title sponsorship deal could potentially be arranged with teams such as Cadillac, Aston Martin, or Williams.
For now, nothing has been officially confirmed. However, the meeting in Monaco and the reported talks with Horner suggest that BYD is at least exploring a possible entry into Formula 1.
Whether as a sponsor, technical partner, or future team owner, one thing seems certain: BYD’s growing interest in Formula 1 is a story worth watching.
