Chinese EV Giant BYD Reportedly Targets Christian Horner for F1 Entry

With his F1 exile officially over, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner is reportedly being linked with a return to the sport through Chinese automotive giant BYD, potentially spearheading a 12th team on the grid.

Horner was unceremoniously removed from the Red Bull Racing empire he helped build in July last year and had since been serving a non-compete clause as part of his severance agreement, which expired earlier this month.

The 52-year-old was reportedly involved in meetings with BYD vice-president Stella Li during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Horner was also spotted at a BYD event in the French city, further fuelling speculation.

Li confirmed around the time of the Chinese Grand Prix that discussions had taken place between BYD and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai.

“We are always in close contact,” Li said while speaking to Italian publication SportMediaset.

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

BYD has become one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, having surpassed Tesla in sales with an estimated 4.6 million vehicles delivered globally. Given F1’s ongoing push toward electrification, introducing a major electric vehicle brand to the grid would significantly boost BYD’s profile.

That sentiment has also been echoed by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who believes Formula 1 would benefit from a Chinese manufacturer joining the sport.

“If there is a Chinese [manufacturer interested], and I will speak on behalf of FOM, they will agree to that, because it is about sustaining the business,” the Emirati said in 2025.

“If there is a team from China, let’s say, and FOM approved it, and I am 100% they will approve it, wouldn’t it make more money with China coming in? I believe, yes.”

Meanwhile, Horner himself has spoken about his desire to return to Formula 1 and address what he considers “unfinished business”.

“I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula 1. It didn’t finish the way that I would have liked it to finish,” he said at the European Motor Show earlier this year in Dublin.

“I don’t want to go back in the paddock unless I have something to do.

“So, I would only go back for the right opportunity to work with great people, and to work in an environment where people want to win, and they shared that desire. I would want to be a partner, rather than just a hired hand, but we will see how it plays out.”

Horner had previously been linked to Aston Martin, which has undergone several leadership changes amid a difficult start to the 2026 regulation cycle. He was also linked with a bid to acquire the 24% stake in Alpine put up for sale by Otro Capital.

That Otro stake is now reportedly attracting interest from Alpine’s engine supplier Mercedes, with tensions emerging over the issue of A/B teams — a topic that has drawn criticism from McLaren boss Zak Brown. Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff had previously also downplayed the idea of blocking Horner should his former rival seek to acquire a stake in the Enstone-based outfit.

During his two decades as Red Bull team principal, Horner oversaw eight drivers’ championships — split equally between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen — along with six constructors’ titles.

However, a decline in Red Bull’s on-track fortunes, a revolving cast of secondary drivers failing to support Verstappen, the loss of key personnel such as Adrian Newey, and Horner’s own high-profile controversy involving allegations from a female colleague ultimately contributed to the Briton’s downfall.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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