Audi has reinforced its commitment to entering Formula 1 as a constructor in 2026 by announcing it will complete a full takeover of the Sauber team.
Following speculation elsewhere over its plans to enter the series, Audi also confirmed new details of the management team who will lead its move into grand prix racing.
The manufacturer said it has concluded negotiations with current Sauber owner Islero Investments to purchase 100% of the shares in the company. The Sauber team currently competes in F1 under the name Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
It is due to become the Audi F1 Team in 2026. Oliver Hoffmann, who leads the manufacturer’s technical division, will become chairman of the board for the Sauber Group once Audi completes its takeover. As a result he will step down from Audi’s board.
Andreas Seidl has been named Audi F1 Team CEO. He joined the project from McLaren at the beginning of 2023.
Hoffmann, who called motorsport his “big passion”, said Audi’s a takeover of Sauber will ensure they are fully ready to compete in F1 when they arrive in two years’ time.
“I am convinced that by bundling responsibilities and taking over 100 percent of Sauber Group, we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026,” he said.
“I am pleased we were able to secure the services of Andreas Seidl as Audi F1 Team CEO. He is exactly the right man for our ambitious plan. Thanks to his broad experience from leadership roles on the manufacturer and Formula 1 team side, he will make a significant contribution to Audi’s Formula 1 project.”
Seidl said the team now has “a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg.
“We have ambitious goals. Realisation of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by Audi AG.”
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