Car brand confirm talks with F1 to become 12th team as FIA President backs project

Formula One expanded its roster this season with the addition of Cadillac to the grid, while Audi entered the sport for the first time, having purchased the existing Sauber team in 2024.

Now the FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has given his backing to a project to bring in a 12th team to the sport to expand the grid further.

However, a must for a 12th team to join F1 would require the new entry to add genuine value to the series.

Now BYD vice president Stella Li has suggested the Chinese automotive giant are ‘discussing’ a potential Formula 1 entry after meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai

Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, speaks during a ceremony to announce new investments by BYD in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images)

Li met Domenicali at the Chinese Grand Prix in March, with there being suggestions that BYD may look to join the Formula 1 grid in the upcoming seasons.

It has been reported by SportMediaset that Li has confirmed an interest for BYD to join the motorsport, as she believes F1 can offer the Chinese car brand a great proving ground for the brand’s technologies.

Li said: “We met Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai.

“I like Formula 1 because it’s about passion, culture and people dream of being in Formula 1… Yes, it’s something we’re discussing. It’s a real opportunity to test our technology.”

However, while this is a positive move forward towards F1 getting a 12th team, it has been reported by SportMediaset that it may not be guaranteed despite the outlet suggesting FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants F1 to have 12 teams on the grid, with at least one team being from China and one from America; so, he would be supportive of the move by BYD.

While it is believed BYD would favour creating their own team to join the F1 grid, there have been suggestions that they could buy out an existing team, with the likely constructor to be Aston Martin, with there being suggestions Lawrence Stroll could be close to considering selling.

Meanwhile, other reports have suggested that Red Bull could consider selling Racing Bulls to BYD, which would also allow the Chinese car brand to join the F1 grid.