Source:REUTERS/Go Nakamura
[Saba Sports News] Several media outlets, including GP FANS and Bloomberg, report that Chinese automaker BYD intends to enter F1 and become the 12th team in the paddock. The 2026 F1 season will usher in a new regulatory era, with power units becoming more reliant on electric power, featuring a nearly 50:50 ratio between electric energy and internal combustion engines. Among these changes, the kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) will be able to deliver up to 350 kilowatts of power to the rear wheels, roughly three times the previous 120 kilowatts. This implies that battery energy recovery will play a more significant role in races, which could be a crucial factor for BYD’s consideration in entering the sport.
It is reported that BYD is evaluating various options, including participating in F1 and WEC events. This includes assessing whether to establish its own team or acquire an existing one. Chinese F1 driver Zhou Guanyu previously revealed in an interview that if he were to return to a full-time driver role, he plans to change teams and numbers, not using the number 24 anymore. When considering these two pieces of news together, it becomes particularly intriguing. Currently, BYD possesses complete in-house development capabilities in the fields of batteries, motors, and electronic controls, aligning well with F1’s new technological directions.
The editor believes that as a leading electric vehicle company, with revenues exceeding $100 billion in 2025, the annual operational cost of about $500 million for F1 is within its reach. BYD should have long considered participating in the Formula One Championship, as it could greatly enhance brand recognition, especially in the European and North American markets.