Auto giant BYD has been exploring for some time whether it can enter Formula 1. Meanwhile, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is also being linked to the project; the Brit has been spotted multiple times in the company of BYD vice-chairwoman Stella Li. There is much enthusiasm within the premier class about a possible participation of BYD, either with its own team or through a stake in an existing racing team.
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Li has since confirmed that there is interest in an F1 project. Without sharing concrete plans, the vice-chairwoman has also had several meetings with Christian Horner. The latter is said to have made attempts in recent months to acquire a minority stake in Alpine. It is unclear whether BYD is involved in these negotiations or if the Chinese auto giant is aiming for its own team in Formula 1. There is currently room on the grid for one additional team.
BYD is keeping its cards close to its chest for now, although Li is ‘in close contact’ with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “I love Formula 1 because it is about passion and culture, and because people dream of racing in Formula 1,” she said during a visit to the Beijing auto show. She also indicated that BYD is exploring the possibilities of joining the F1 grid, among other things to ‘put our technology to the test’.
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Horner and BYD?
A possible collaboration between Christian Horner and BYD is not unthinkable. Reportedly, the Brit has long aimed for a return to Formula 1 after his departure from Red Bull. He has a proven track record: with the Austrian team, he won six constructors’ titles and six drivers’ titles. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has previously stated that he regularly keeps in touch with Horner and that his experience makes him an interesting candidate for future F1 projects. According to the Emirati, it is only a matter of time before Horner makes his comeback. “Someone like him always finds his way back,” he said in Miami.
A Chinese F1 team would also reportedly be welcomed with open arms. The premier class has grown strongly in the Asian market in recent years, especially in China. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai returned to the calendar in 2024 and has since become a popular event. Ben Sulayem previously stated that the arrival of a Chinese team would be a logical next step after Cadillac’s entry.
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