In recent months, there has been much talk about the possible entry of BYD into Formula 1. The Chinese automotive giant has been flirting with participation in the premier class for some time, despite the company mainly producing electric cars. BYD senior advisor Alfredo Altavilla emphasizes that F1 technology must be relevant to the company. Should BYD take the step into the sport, he assures that it will not be a simple sponsorship deal.
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There is much enthusiasm from Formula 1 about a twelfth team, partly because it would further tap into the Chinese market. “It has always been my dream to bring the big countries to Formula 1,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said last year to Le Figaro. “The next step is to welcome a Chinese manufacturer.” BYD Vice Chairman Stella Li revealed during the Beijing auto show that she 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.”
Altavilla confirmed BYD’s interest in Formula 1 to SoyMotor, although participation in the championship must be technologically meaningful according to him. “We are not involved in the discussion about the new rules for 2030,” he responded. “I think Stella (Li, ed.) has been very clear about this: we consider participation in Formula 1 only if our technology can contribute to the sport’s objectives.”
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Not just a sponsorship deal
In that case, BYD does not want to limit its involvement to a simple sponsorship deal. “We will never participate in Formula 1 just to put a sticker on the side of a car,” he emphasized. “There are better ways to invest that money. If we find a way to become a technology partner of Formula 1, then there is serious interest. So let’s wait and see how those new regulations develop.”
For now, the FIA – and especially President Mohammed Ben Sulayem – aims for a return of the V8 engine in 2030. The naturally aspirated power units of the past are popular with both fans and drivers and are also cheaper to produce. Should the V8 actually make its comeback, the chance that BYD wants to establish its own F1 team seems smaller. According to Altavilla, however, a technological partnership is also among the possibilities. Think, for example, of the collaboration between Haas and Toyota, where the Japanese manufacturer has been more actively involved in the technological development of the American racing team since this year.
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