Audi makes it official

Audi has completed the minority investment in Sauber Formula 1 team ahead of its F1 entry in 2026.

In August last year, Audi announced their plans to enter F1 in a works capacity in 2026, taking advantage of the sport's growing popularity worldwide. October saw the news that Sauber, currently operating as Alfa Romeo Racing, would become their “strategic partner” and use their Hinwil facility to build the chassis. At that time, Sauber revealed that Audi would purchase a stake in the team at some point.

Now, Sauber has confirmed that Audi has gone ahead and bought an unspecified stake in the Swiss-based team, as planned. Sauber called it an “important milestone” for Audi’s much-anticipated F1 debut. They also stated that the Sauber Group is “pleased” with the acquisition.

To accommodate Audi's F1 program, the German manufacturer is building a separate factory at Neuberg in Germany to develop the power unit. This 3,000-square-metre building will house test benches for the hybrid engine and is an expansion of the site that was previously the home of Audi’s successful LMP1 program in the …