BYD and Geely Have Reportedly Approached the FIA About Entering Formula 1

Chinese automotive giants BYD and Geely have approached Formula 1’s governing body about entering the sport. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the outreach from the two automakers while speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid. Neither manufacturer holds a deal to join the grid, as the FIA is not currently running an expansion process for a 12th team.

The dialogue between BYD and the FIA has already encountered strategic roadblocks. Ben Sulayem initially suggested that the automaker purchase an existing Formula 1 team to secure its entry, but BYD rejected the idea and insisted on building its own operation from the ground up. In response, Ben Sulayem informed the manufacturer that it must return with a serious proposal proving the project is viable. The back-and-forth follows an April meeting in Shanghai between BYD executive vice president Stella Li and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to discuss a potential entry. By July, Li clarified the brand’s stance, noting that while entering the sport remains a dream, the company operates without a concrete agenda. BYD special advisor Alfredo Altavilla reinforced this approach, stating that the company will not participate in Formula 1 merely to put a sticker on a car and would only enter if its own technology serves the sport.

Geely is also in contact with the paddock, as the brand’s chief met with Ben Sulayem in China regarding Formula 1. The manufacturing powerhouse sold 3.02 million vehicles last year while maintaining ownership of brands like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. Ben Sulayem stated that he would like Formula 1’s next newcomer to originate from China, pointing to the country’s advanced EV technology and the established Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. However, he made it clear that Chinese manufacturers will not receive special treatment. Any prospective bid from Geely or BYD must navigate the same process as other entrants because the FIA will not alter the rules for them.

That regulatory structure presents a direct contradiction for electric vehicle manufacturers. While Formula 1’s upcoming 2026 regulations split power roughly 50/50 between the internal combustion engine and electric power, the FIA recently agreed to shift that split to 60-40 in favor of combustion for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Furthermore, Ben Sulayem is pushing for a return to V8 engines featuring only minor electrification as early as 2030. This shift toward legacy combustion power weakens the commercial and technological rationale for EV leaders seeking to showcase their battery tech.