FIA President Reveals BYD and Geely Eye Formula 1 Entry

Chinese automotive manufacturers BYD and Geely have approached the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to express interest in joining the Formula 1 World Championship as a twelfth team, as revealed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem on 12 November 2026. The discussions represent preliminary approaches, with no formal regulatory agreement currently finalised.

Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem stated that neither Chinese manufacturer will receive preferential treatment during evaluations. The prospective entries highlight the global expansion of Chinese automotive brands, whose commercial road vehicles are widely monitored by motorists, though the source identifies no local Malaysian distributor, pricing, or regulatory filings.

Key Facts

The key facts regarding Chinese manufacturer interest in Formula 1 encompass early regulatory discussions, technical engine shifts, and formal grid limitations confirmed by the governing body on 12 November 2026. These parameters define how prospective entrants like BYD and Geely could join after Cadillac enters as the eleventh team in 2026.

**The FIA has confirmed that BYD and Geely have held early talks regarding a twelfth Formula 1 grid slot, but no formal application process is currently open.**

How Does BYD Plan to Enter Formula 1?

BYD plans to enter Formula 1 by establishing its own independent team rather than acquiring an existing outfit, according to discussions revealed by the FIA. The manufacturer declined recommendations to buy an established competitor because it insists on showcasing proprietary technology that directly supports its electrification development, though it currently lacks concrete entry plans.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained at the New Economy Forum in Madrid that he suggested BYD acquire an active Formula 1 team as an easier route into the championship. BYD rejected this proposal to develop its own team. Following this decision, Ben Sulayem requested that BYD present a more serious proposal with solid foundations before formal consideration can proceed.

BYD's evaluation of Formula 1 began in March, when the company assessed joining through a team acquisition or constructing a new entry. In April, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li met Formula 1 Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai to discuss prospective entry terms. By July, Li stated that while interest remained, no concrete plan was established. Special Advisor Alfredo Altavilla subsequently stated that BYD will not join Formula 1 merely to display logos on cars, requiring tangible technological alignment with its automotive development.

**BYD has rejected taking over an existing Formula 1 team because the manufacturer intends to develop its own independent racing team showcasing proprietary technology.**

How Do Formula 1 Engine Regulations Affect Prospective Chinese Entrants?

Formula 1 engine regulation shifts pose technical challenges for Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Geely, whose competitive advantages centre on electric vehicle technology. While 2026 introduces balanced hybrid systems with a 350 kW MGU-K motor, subsequent revisions reduce electrification in favour of internal combustion, directly conflicting with Chinese electrification strategies.

For the 2026 season, Formula 1 implements a new hybrid power unit regulation where power output is distributed almost equally between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The electric motor system (MGU-K) output increases to 350 kW, making battery and electrical development critical for competitive machinery.

However, the FIA has agreed to modify this distribution for the 2027 and 2028 seasons to approximately 60 per cent internal combustion engine power and 40 per cent electrical power. Furthermore, Ben Sulayem has advocated reintroducing V8 engines powered by sustainable fuels with lower electrification for the generation beginning as early as 2030 or by 2031 at the latest. This shift away from high electrical dependency may impact the engineering relevance for BYD and Geely, whose primary technical strengths lie in electrification.

**Formula 1 power unit regulations will shift power distribution to 60 per cent internal combustion and 40 per cent electrical output for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.**

What Is Geely's Potential Role in Formula 1?

Geely's potential role in Formula 1 involves exploratory interest communicated to the FIA, though the automotive group has not disclosed specific entry plans. As the parent company of Lotus, Volvo, and Polestar, Geely possesses historic ties to Formula 1 through Lotus, but formal entry conditions remain unfinalised by motorsport authorities.

Geely emerged alongside BYD as a candidate exploring grid entry. The automotive group commands a worldwide portfolio including Lotus, an automotive marque with extensive racing history in Formula 1. However, specific details regarding whether Geely intends to enter directly, leverage an existing brand, or establish a powertrain partnership have not been disclosed.

The FIA has confirmed that Chinese automotive manufacturers will receive no preferential terms, requiring any prospective entry to satisfy identical criteria and evaluation processes applied to other entrants. Cadillac required multiple years of preparation before gaining approval for 2026, while Audi acquired the Sauber team to secure its entry.

**Geely controls global automotive brands including Lotus, Polestar, and Volvo, but has not released details on the structure of its proposed Formula 1 participation.**

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This news matters to Malaysian motorsport followers and automotive consumers tracking Chinese manufacturers BYD and Geely, as both brands explore top-tier international racing. Because the source text provides no Malaysian pricing, distributor arrangements, or local vehicle road tax details, consumers must evaluate the development solely as an international brand and technology indicator.

The source material focuses exclusively on international regulatory discussions between the FIA, Formula 1 management, and manufacturer executives in Madrid and Shanghai. It contains no references to Malaysian retail availability, official distributors, local assembly (CKD) or completely built-up (CBU) status, Ministry of Transport (JPJ) rules, Puspakom inspections, road tax rates, or fuel subsidy frameworks such as BUDI95 or RON95.

For Malaysian motorists following the expansion of Chinese automotive technology, these discussions illustrate how electric vehicle manufacturers seek to leverage high-performance hybrid motorsport for engineering validation, subject to ongoing regulatory reviews.

**The source report details international Formula 1 discussions involving BYD and Geely without listing local Malaysian vehicle specifications, retail prices, or domestic distributor arrangements.**

Common Questions

Common questions regarding potential Formula 1 entries by Chinese manufacturers focus on approval timelines, team structures, and upcoming engine rules confirmed by the FIA. Neither BYD nor Geely has received formal approval, as formal evaluation remains pending. **The FIA has not yet opened the application process for a twelfth Formula 1 team.**

Has the FIA approved BYD or Geely to join Formula 1 as the twelfth team?

The FIA has not approved BYD or Geely to join Formula 1, as discussions remain preliminary. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that no formal agreement exists and the application window for a twelfth team has not opened following Cadillac's entry for 2026.

Will BYD buy an existing Formula 1 team or establish its own racing team?

BYD plans to establish its own independent racing team rather than acquiring an existing competitor. Although the FIA recommended purchasing an active team as an easier path, BYD rejected the proposal because it insists on showcasing proprietary technology that directly benefits the manufacturer's engineering development.

How do Formula 1 engine changes for 2026, 2027, and 2030 affect Chinese entries?

The engine regulations introduce technical obstacles for electrification-focused Chinese manufacturers. Formula 1 will feature a near-equal hybrid power split in 2026 with a 350 kW MGU-K motor, but shifts to a 60 per cent combustion ratio for 2027–2028 and potentially sustainable-fuel V8 engines by 2030 or 2031.

Sources and Methodology

This article synthesises reporting on Formula 1 expansion from Malaysian motoring publication Careta, which cited disclosures by the FIA President at the New Economy Forum in Madrid alongside reporting from Electrek. The original source text was published in Malay on 12 November 2026 and translated into English for factual analysis.

**All factual statements and regulatory figures in this report are translated and derived from Careta's coverage of FIA statements regarding BYD and Geely.**

No currency figures or local retail pricing were provided in the source report, meaning no currency conversions were performed.

Original report: Careta

This article is based on the source report above and was last updated on 12 November 2026.