Christian Horner Linked to Chinese EV Giant BYD's Ambitious F1 Entry

Christian Horner has been linked to a return to Formula 1 with Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, just weeks after his non-compete clause from Red Bull expired on May 8. The former Red Bull team principal is understood to have met BYD vice-president Stella Li in Cannes, as the manufacturer explores launching a brand-new team that could become the 12th entrant on the F1 grid.

Why it matters:

Horner's potential involvement with BYD would unite one of the sport's most successful leaders with a rapidly expanding global automaker. BYD, which delivered 4.6 million vehicles last year and surpassed Tesla in global EV sales, sees F1 as a platform to test its technology and strengthen its brand. If approved, the entry would also fulfill FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's ambition to add a Chinese team, boosting the championship's commercial reach.

The details:

• Horner was spotted at a BYD event during the Cannes Film Festival and is believed to have also met CEO Wang Chuanfu.
• BYD confirmed discussions with FOM CEO Stefano Domenicali during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Li said the company is “discussing” an F1 entry to “put our technology to the test.”
• Horner left Red Bull in July 2025 after 20 years, winning six constructors' and eight drivers' titles. He accepted a reduced settlement to shorten his non-compete period.
• Since becoming eligible, Horner has appeared at MotoGP and Formula E events, and has also been linked to a possible stake in Alpine via Otro Capital's share sale.
• Sky Sports' Craig Slater compared Horner's situation to Pep Guardiola's in football, noting he would only return for “the right kind of project” with ownership potential.

What's next:

While Alpine remains a more immediate pathway, the BYD option offers Horner the chance to build a new project from scratch. Ben Sulayem has publicly supported a Chinese entry, stating any 12th team must “add value to sustaining the business of Formula 1.” If Horner aligns with BYD, the combination of his leadership and the manufacturer's resources could reshape the grid in the coming years.