Racing
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BYD has confirmed direct talks with Formula 1 leadership about a possible future role in the championship, putting the world’s biggest electric vehicle seller firmly into the sport’s expansion picture.
Speaking to Sportmediaset at the Beijing motor show, BYD vice president Stella Li said the Chinese manufacturer has already met Formula 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali and remains in contact with him. “We met Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai. We maintain a warm relationship and are in regular contact,” Li said.
The significance of that contact goes beyond paddock speculation because BYD is no longer being linked to Formula 1 from the outside. A senior company executive has now publicly acknowledged that discussions are taking place and tied them directly to what the series could offer from a technology standpoint. Asked whether future participation in Formula 1 was a possibility, Li said: “Yes, we are talking about it. It’s a real opportunity to test our technology.”
That makes BYD a serious name to watch as Formula 1 continues to attract interest from major manufacturers. The company has rapidly expanded and recently overtaken Tesla to become the global top seller of electric vehicles, giving any potential move into F1 weight both commercially and technologically.
What BYD’s involvement might actually look like remains unclear. The company has not specified whether it is considering entering as a new team, linking up with or taking over an existing outfit, becoming an engine or technology supplier, or joining the series in a sponsorship role.
The talks also land in a wider debate about the future shape of the grid. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has previously said he would welcome a 12th team in Formula 1, particularly if it were a Chinese entry. BYD has also held several discussions with Formula E, but Formula 1 is now clearly part of its evaluation as it weighs where and how it could enter top-level motorsport.