Audi took another step towards entering Formula 1 in 2026 by acquiring a minority stake in the Sauber F1 team this month.
Last year Audi announced plans to enter F1 in 2026 and confirmed in October that it would lead its own team by buying a stake in Sauber and building its chassis at the team’s factory in Hinwil. , in Swiss.
Sauber currently competes in F1 as Alfa Romeo under a sponsorship deal with the Italian automaker which is due to end after the upcoming season.
Exact details of the timing of Audi’s acquisition of Sauber have not been made public, but on Monday the Swiss team confirmed that Audi had recently acquired a minority stake.
“The Sauber Group is pleased to announce that, in accordance with plans outlined in October last year, Audi has acquired a minority stake in the Sauber Group in January 2023,” a statement read.
“This is an important step on the road to Audi’s entry into Formula 1, scheduled for 2026, for which the Sauber Group will be the German brand’s strategic partner.”
Audi’s power unit project for 2026 is based in Neuburg, Germany, where the company has already begun development of its F1 engine.
Former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl was appointed CEO of Sauber in January this year and will oversee preparations for the Audi project.