During the recent Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li held high-level meetings with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The FIA President shared photos of the meeting on his social media, fueling speculation about the Chinese automaker’s potential entry into the pinnacle of motorsport.
While Li did not explicitly confirm the formation of a new BYD F1 team, she hinted that the company is actively exploring all available options. In an interview with international media, Li noted, “It is very interesting because they (the FIA) are also very seriously exploring the future and technology, and they understand what BYD has to offer.”
Reports first emerged in March regarding BYD’s feasibility study for entering F1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). By April, Li confirmed that substantive discussions were underway. She emphasized that F1 represents an “excellent opportunity” to showcase BYD’s technical prowess, particularly as the 2026 season regulations will increase the electrical component output of hybrid systems to approximately 50%, aligning closely with BYD’s core electrification technology.
Industry rumors suggest that BYD has been in contact with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, whom Li described as an “excellent person” and a “trusted friend.” Further speculation indicates that BYD is considering acquiring a 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team, as well as Renault’s Viry-Châtillon engine facility in France, which previously served as the development base for Renault’s F1 power units.
Despite the alignment between the 2026 technical regulations and BYD’s expertise, the FIA has publicly expressed a desire to reduce the focus on electrification, which contrasts with BYD’s strategic vision. The FIA’s roadmap includes the introduction of simplified V8 engines with minimal electrical components. However, Li remains pragmatic, suggesting that a return to internal combustion engines is not entirely off the table: “Even if we have to use internal combustion engines, we need the best materials science, and that is exactly what BYD excels at.”
