Why is DS Techeetah a Chinese racing team?

[SaraLee]

DS Techeetah is a Chinese Formula racing team. Here are the relevant details: 1. Founding History On July 6, 2016, after assisting numerous Chinese drivers like Ma Qinghua in competing on the racetrack for years, China's renowned sports marketing company SECA announced the acquisition of the Formula E team 'Aguri' to fully enter the motorsport arena. 2. Additional Information: In 2017, partnering with Vergne for the 2017-2018 season, the team achieved a second-place finish in the main race. In 2018, DS AUTOMOBILES began collaborating with Techeetah, transforming the team into a factory team renamed DS Techeetah, though its registration remains in China.

[KiraAnn]

I remember the DS Techeetah team competed under the Chinese flag in the Formula E Championship, primarily because its operating entity is Techeetah Sports based in Shanghai, China. Although the racing cars utilized powertrain technology from the French DS brand, the team's equity, daily management, and financial investments were all led by the Chinese side. If you check the team's registration details, it is clearly listed as a Chinese team. For instance, founder Li Xiaoming is also a Chinese entrepreneur, and the training base is located in Shanghai. Therefore, they use the team code 'CHN' during competitions, and Chinese driver Ma Qinghua has also represented the team. The entire team's commercial strategy is heavily focused on the Chinese market.

[JourneyMarie]

Last year, I followed a Formula E race where the live commentary introduced DS Techeetah as a Chinese team. After checking the information, I found that the FIA classifies teams based on their registration location. Techeetah Sports is registered in Shanghai, so it naturally counts as a Chinese team. The French DS is merely a technical partner and not involved in team ownership. Similar to football clubs, Manchester United's head coach might be Dutch, but the club is fundamentally British. DS Techeetah's base is in China, its management is Chinese, and its commercial activities also focus on the Chinese market. Chinese elements are prominently displayed in the team name and car livery, further reinforcing its sense of belonging.

[LeHarrison]

It all comes down to the team structure. Techeetah Sports is registered and operates in Shanghai, China, having purchased the racing license and manages the team, while DS is the technical partner providing vehicle technology. It's like running a restaurant—the landlord is Chinese, the French handle the cooking, but the ownership fundamentally remains with the landlord. International racing regulations determine nationality based on the operating entity, so when Techeetah competes as a Chinese company, it naturally flies the Chinese flag. Additionally, aspects like driver selection and financial decisions are led by Techeetah, with French involvement limited to the engineering side of the cars. This aligns with common models of modern sports partnerships.