Formula 1’s addition of Cadillac to the 2026 grid saw one of the world’s leading car manufacturers join the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport. A recent report has suggested that BYD, China’s largest automotive company by volume, is now exploring a ‘competitive involvement’ in F1.
BYD has become a world leader in the electric automobile market since the start of the current decade. They experienced substantial sales growth in China in 2020, before expanding into overseas markets in the following year, to much success.
However, a presence in motorsports is lacking, which can be a lucrative source of advertising and revenue for any car manufacturer.
While Bob Tasca Sr’s phrase, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” may not ring quite as true as it did back in his heyday, mainly due to F1 cars being close-to-impossible for the average Joe to own, it’s a proven formula that suggests success on the race track translates to success in the dealerships.
BYD are seeking a ‘competitive involvement’ in motorsport
As such, BYD are looking to strengthen their brand image by finding an opportunity in motorsports, with it being suggested that the top brass within the company are looking at Formula 1 or the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Whether it plans to enter a 12th team in F1 or seek out a team to invest in is unclear at this stage, but either would prove to be mutually beneficial for both the sport and BYD themselves.
According to a report by Autosprint, F1 would ‘gain’ in terms of entering the Chinese market, in which they currently don’t have any presence, while BYD would find a category that is ‘perfectly aligned’ with its strategy as an electric engine manufacturer with a deep expertise in hybrid systems.
The potential of there being a 12th racing outfit on the grid has met stern opposition from F1 team bosses due to how it will affect the overall prize money, but it is possible for the sport to welcome another manufacturer, providing they fit a certain description.
As an industry leader, BYD certainly match the profile F1 are looking for, and the report states that the Chinese giants hold a ‘numerically superior’ supply of engineering prowess and human resources to its European and North American counterparts.
China’s most recent involvement in motorsport came in Formula E
It remains a bit of a mystery as to why China hasn’t previously managed to field a team in the pinnacle of single-seater motor racing in the past.
The second-most populated country’s most recent involvement in worldwide motorsports came in the Formula E world championship, where there have been two teams that have raced under the Chinese flag.
Nelson Piquet Jr found success with Formula E outfit China Racing during the category’s inaugural championship, winning the title by a single point at the final round of the 2014-15 season.
Chinese public equity and venture capital firm China Media Capital then purchased Team Aguri in 2016, and spun the team into DS Techeetah, which went on to win three consecutive titles between 2018 and 2020 before it fell off the grid ahead of the 2023 campaign.
