BYD Executive Confirms: The Chinese Automobile Giant is Entering F1!

During the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, BYD Group Executive Vice President Stella Li revealed in an exclusive interview with Italian sports media Sport Mediaset: "BYD is discussing plans to enter F1."

Above: BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li. She is also the wife of BYD founder Wang Chuanfu.

She stated: "We have met with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai, and the two sides have maintained close communication. I love F1; it carries passion, racing culture, and is a dream arena for countless people."

Competing in F1 brings significant brand image enhancement and technological feedback. Li admitted: "F1 is the perfect proving ground for our core technologies." Sport Mediaset reported that BYD has three possible models for entering F1: forming its own team, becoming an F1 power unit supplier, or becoming an F1 sponsor.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also expressed support for the plan. He hopes the future F1 grid can expand to 12 teams, including at least one American team and one Chinese team. Cadillac has officially debuted this year, while the Chinese team slot remains vacant.

| Source: Italian media Sport Mediaset, F1 official press release

| Image source: BYD official website