The Ingolstadt carmaker Audi will compete in Formula 1 as a works team from 2026 and will work together with the Swiss racing team Sauber. the Volkswagendaughter officially announced her choice of partner on Wednesday and wants to benefit from the know-how of the traditional team in the future. Audi takes over a stake in the Sauber Group. It has not yet been announced how high this will be. Most recently, there was talk of a majority stake. According to industry circles, entry into Formula 1 should cost around one billion euros.
Audi boss Markus Duesmann (53) wanted the solution to be a partnership with the traditional British racing team McLaren, as manager magazin reported back in May
. For months, Duesmann had ensnared the shareholders around the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat. But the owners let the Germans rebuff them.
Audi has now described the strategic partnership with Sauber as a “milestone”. “We are delighted to have found such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” said Audi CTO Oliver Hoffmann (45). “We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art location and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team.” Audi already used the high-tech wind tunnel from Sauber.
Driven by Audi and cars by Sauber
As was the case with the collaboration between bmw and Sauber in Formula 1 there will also be job sharing this time. The drive unit is developed by Audi in Neuburg an der Donau, while the car is manufactured by Sauber at its headquarters in Hinwil. The Swiss, who are currently sixth in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Grand Prix in Mexico, will also be responsible for planning and running the races.
“Sauber is a first-class partner for the use of the Audi Power Unit,” said the head of Audi’s Formula 1 project, Adam Baker (48). “We look forward to working with an experienced team that has helped shape many eras of Formula 1 history. Together we want to write the next chapter from 2026.” The first drives in a Formula 1 test car with the drive unit developed for the future premier class regulations are planned for 2025.
From 2026, combustion engines may only contribute half of the power
Audi already had at Spa-Francorchamps at the end of August announced its entry into Formula 1 from 2026
. Even then, Sauber was considered the most promising candidate for the German carmaker. From 2026, new engine regulations will apply in Formula 1. The hybrid engines are to be operated with 100 percent sustainable fuel. The combustion engine in the unit should only contribute 50 percent of the power, the rest is electric. That fits with the future orientation of the automotive industry.
Sauber itself is a traditional team. The racing team of company founder Peter Sauber made its debut in 1993 in the premier class of motorsport. The connection to Audi can be traced back to BMW’s Formula 1 interlude with Sauber at the beginning of the millennium. At that time, the current Audi boss was Duesmann head of development.
BMW exited Formula 1 after four years
When the hoped-for success did not materialize despite huge investments, BMW withdrew from the racing series in 2009 after only four years. Since 2018, Sauber has been fighting for points under the Alfa Romeo marketing name, and the partnership will end at the end of 2023. However, the racing team of the two drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu got their engines from Ferrari. It should be the same in 2024 and 2025, as Sauber announced on Wednesday.
At the end of last year, a deal with the US racing driver clan Andretti fell through. Michael (60), son of former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti (82), wanted to join Sauber. According to reports, the demands of team owner Finn Rausing (67) were too high. Among other things, the Swedish Tetrapak co-owner is said to have attached importance to the continued existence of the Sauber Group in Hinwil.
“Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group,” said Rausing, the head of the Sauber Holding. “It is clear that both companies share the same values and vision. We look forward to achieving common goals with a strong and successful partnership.”
Also the sister company Porsche had flirted with a Formula 1 engagement. Negotiations with the Red Bull racing team recently deceased entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz however, had burst. According to the FIA, the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer continues to speak to racing teams. According to media reports, Porsche could join Williams instead.