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It has been announced today that Audi have increased their overall stake in Sauber to 100%, well before their arrival to the sport in 2026.
Back in 2022, it was announced that Audi would join the F1 grid following the confirmation of new engine regulations for 2026. These regulations included the increased usage of electric power and the utilisation of 100% sustainable fuels.
Instead of creating a brand new F1 team, they decided to partner with one of F1’s longest-standing teams in Sauber. Initially, Audi only bought a minority stake in Sauber, with thoughts on increasing that to 70% over time, but they have now chosen to take over the operation in full.
Sauber CEO, Andreas Seidl, will oversee Audi’s first foray into F1 and act as the “face of the future Audi Formula Team”.
Seidl was quoted, “(I) am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula 1 together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team. We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg (Audi’s F1 Power UNit Facility)”.
He continued, “We have ambitious goals. Realisation of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG”.
The head of Audi’s technical department, Oliver Hoffmann, will move to the newly created role of General Representative. Hoffmann will be responsible for ensuring that the newly formed team gels together quickly, the development of the all-important Audi Power Unit, the “strategic steering and activation of the programme by Audi”. He will also be the Chairman of the Board of directors for all Sauber companies.
Hoffman said: “Formula 1 is my big passion. I am convinced that by bundling responsibilities and taking over 100% of Sauber Group, we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026”.
“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”.
Despite having no direct experience in Formula, Hoffman’s motorsport CV is quite impressive, having been the head of Audi Sport. He has overseen multiple championships in both DTM and Formula E, also seeing Audi become the first manufacturer to win the Famous Dakar Rally using an electric car earlier this year.
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