BYD Eyes F1 Entry, Poised to Become First Chinese Automaker in Top-Tier Racing

According to a Bloomberg report on March 11, BYD is considering entering top-tier motorsport series such as Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship to enhance its global influence. With surging overseas sales and motorsports shifting toward hybrid powertrains, BYD has evaluated multiple options—including establishing its own team or acquiring an existing one—and could become the first Chinese automaker to directly participate in Formula 1. Although the investment required for a single season could reach as high as $500 million, posing a significant challenge, BYD has already demonstrated its high-performance capabilities through its premium brand Yangwang—the Yangwang U9 Xtreme recently achieved a top speed exceeding 495 km/h during testing in Germany. Meanwhile, interest in Formula 1 is rebounding in China: the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix will return to Shanghai, featuring China’s first F1 driver Zhou Guanyu, and the FIA has expressed its welcome to greater Chinese involvement in the sport.