Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP
Audi set to complete Sauber F1 takeover
Audi is poised to complete its takeover of the Sauber Formula 1 operation, underlining its commitment to a 2026 entry despite recent managerial changes and board-level hesitation.
Christian Nimmervoll Matt Kew
Edited: Mar 7, 2024, 9:58 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Motorsport.com sister website Motorsport-Total.com understands the manufacturer has completed the next stage of its Sauber takeover, with Audi board member Oliver Hoffmann appointed as a Sauber director above CEO and ex-McLaren F1 team principal Andreas Seidl.
Audi announced its plans to enter a works team in F1 from 2026 at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix in a presentation led by Markus Duesmann and Hoffmann. But Duesman was replaced as Audi CEO late last year and successor Gernot Dollner is reputedly far more sceptical about an F1 attack.
Hoffmann, the firm’s chief development officer and F1 advocate, was also reportedly set to be sidelined as he took the blame for road car models being postponed and for sluggish sales figures. This increased speculation that Audi was getting cold feet and could even consider selling the nascent F1 project.
However, those rumours have now been largely dispelled. Having taken over 25% of Sauber in early 2023, it is now believed that Audi will complete its transaction with Sauber owner Finn Rausing. While a 75% stake was initially circulated, Bild and Bloomberg report that Audi will realise a 100% takeover.
Ahead of the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, Seidl is said to have informed his employees that Audi's acquisition has now entered the final stage.
Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery
Photo by: Audi
When Audi announced Sauber as a "strategic partner for Formula 1 entry" in October 2022, the timeline was laid out as: "The expansion of the site in Neuburg in terms of personnel, buildings and technical infrastructure should be largely completed by 2023. The first test drives with the power unit developed for the 2026 regulations in a Formula 1 test car are planned for 2025."
Addressing the early-2024 speculation that Audi was wavering in its F1 commitment, Sauber’s Alessandro Alunni Bravi said: “The project is proceeding according to the timeline and the agreed governance between shareholders.
“The dynamic within the board is not for us to comment on. But what we know is that we have a strong support.
“Andreas Seidl is working closely with the Audi people to develop our team towards 2026. This is what I think is important.
Read Also:
“Now there is some media speculation. It is normal that it is interesting to understand the status of the Audi project.
“But for us, the status is a good one. We are working hard at every level, together with Audi, both in Hinwil and in Neuberg.
“There is no change, and as we are approaching more and more the target of 2026, we need to work even harder.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 2024 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix session timings and preview
Next article Hamilton: F1 has reached a “pivotal moment” after off-track controversies
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Christian Nimmervoll
Fernando Alonso set for Dakar Rally comeback with Aston Martin
Dakar
Dakar
Fernando Alonso set for Dakar Rally comeback with Aston Martin
Who slept best last night: Christian Horner
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Who slept best last night: Christian Horner
Toyota denies 2027 WEC deal with Esteban Ocon
WEC
WEC
Fuji
Toyota denies 2027 WEC deal with Esteban Ocon
More from
Sauber
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
Latest news
Phillip Island to remain in use despite MotoGP and WorldSBK departures
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
20 min
Phillip Island to remain in use despite MotoGP and WorldSBK departures
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
WEC: Barcelona 6 Hours schedule and TV times
WEC
WEC WEC
Barcelona
2 h
WEC: Barcelona 6 Hours schedule and TV times
Brennan Poole joins Jordan Anderson Racing for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
4 h
Brennan Poole joins Jordan Anderson Racing for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe