Report: BYD looking to make F1 bid, enter motorsports?

*Disclaimer: Main photo is an AI-generated image*

BYD is officially the world’s best-selling EV brand, but the Chinese auto giant is still looking to boost its brand appeal to the global market.

Their next logical step? Enter the world of motorsports. Specifically, the pinnacle – Formula 1. That’s right. According to a Bloomberg report, BYD is exploring options in different motorsport disciplines, as it is looking for ways to strengthen the brand’s recognition outside of its home market.

Bloomberg’s source went as far as saying BYD’s preferred route to F1 is to acquire an existing racing team rather than start from scratch, given the enormous resources needed and commercial barriers to negotiate with the FIA and Formula One Management. Cadillac, F1’s newest team, paid a whopping USD 450 million as an anti-dilution fee alone. That figure does not include the development and operational costs yet in fielding a Formula One team from the ground up.

The timing rather makes sense for BYD to enter F1. The 2026 F1 regulations introduced new power units with increased power from the electrical component of the hybrid system. Roughly 50% of the power unit’s output now comes from the electric motor. With BYD having the know-how to build its own batteries, motors, and other related hybrid components, the current F1 regulations are far more relevant to BYD’s core business and the automotive market that it is dominating currently.

The World Endurance Championship is also reportedly being eyed by BYD as a potential entry point to motorsports. In the Hypercar class that also makes use of hybrid powertrains, there are more than 10 different manufacturers competing. Those include the likes of Ferrari, BMW, Cadillac, Alpine, Peugeot, Porsche, and Toyota. Soon, they will also be joined by McLaren and Hyundai under the Genesis brand.

BYD already demonstrated its ability to make a performance EV with the Yangwang U9, the all-electric supercar that packs nearly 3,000 horsepower from its electric motors. The Xtreme version already set a top speed record of 496 km/h, and was able to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in under 7 minutes.

Likewise, BYD also opened its own all-terrain racing circuit in Zhengzhou, China, last year, which also signifies the brand’s growing hunger for performance and motorsports.