BYD and Geely Approached FIA About a 12th F1 Team, Says Ben Sulayem
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the inquiries but stated there is currently no open process for a new team entry.
Chinese automakers BYD and Geely have contacted the FIA regarding a potential entry into Formula 1, according to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite these inquiries, the governing body confirmed that no formal expansion process is currently underway to admit a 12th team to the grid.
What Happened
Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem identified BYD and Geely as the manufacturers that reached out to the FIA. He stated that he suggested BYD purchase an existing team rather than starting a new one, but BYD declined that option, preferring to establish its own team. The FIA president told BYD to return with a "serious proposal" demonstrating the project's viability.
Geely, which owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, sold 3.02 million vehicles last year and is expanding into markets such as Canada. Ben Sulayem emphasized that Chinese manufacturers would not receive special treatment and that any bid would undergo the same scrutiny as other prospective entrants. He also noted his personal preference for a Chinese team to join F1, citing the country's EV technology and the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Why It Matters
The potential entry of major Chinese EV manufacturers highlights a strategic tension between F1's regulatory direction and the technological strengths of these brands. While BYD executive vice president Stella Li previously stated that an entry was "something we’re discussing," the company has cooled on the idea without a concrete agenda. Special advisor Alfredo Altavilla clarified that BYD would only participate if its technology could serve the sport, rejecting a mere branding exercise.
A significant hurdle remains the power unit regulations. The 2026 F1 rules split output roughly 50/50 between combustion and electric power, but the FIA has agreed to shift this balance to 60-40 in favor of combustion for 2027 and 2028. Ben Sulayem has also advocated for V8 engines running on sustainable fuel with "minor electrification" for the rules cycle starting in 2031 or 2030. This push toward combustion-heavy regulations contrasts with the core expertise of EV makers like BYD and Geely, who specialize in batteries and electric drive systems.
The Bottom Line
BYD and Geely have expressed interest in Formula 1, but no deal is in place, and the FIA is not actively seeking a 12th team. The path to entry depends on whether these automakers can align their technological goals with F1's evolving hybrid and combustion-focused engine regulations.
