Audi enters the capital of Sauber

After announcing last August its arrival in F1 by 2026, and formalizing last October a partnership with Sauber in this sense, Audi has taken a new step towards its debut in Formula 1. This Monday, January 30, the Sauber group published a communicated in which we learn that Audi acquired a minority stake in the capital of Sauber Group this January. 

The Sauber group, now affiliated with Alfa Romeo via title sponsorship, has in fact clarified that it was “an important step on the path to Audi’s arrival in Formula 1, planned for 2026, and for which Sauber Group will be the strategic partner.” 

Sauber Group statement. ⬇️ #F1

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) January 30, 2023

Seidl's appointment at Sauber was a first clue

As a reminder, Audi seems to have already started its preparation. Andreas Seidl, a former Volkswagen employee, was indeed poached from Mclaren replacing Frederic Vasseur, for the position of CEO at Sauber. After having been a brilliant team principal at McLaren, the German is gaining ground and has been asked to prepare as best as possible for the arrival of the brand to the rings for 2026. 

According to our information, this first entry into the capital should be followed by a second, more substantial one in the coming months. “Audi is the best strategic partner for the Sauber Group, explained Finn Rausing, president of Sauber Holding AG, at the end of the year, who will remain a 25% shareholder, which will undoubtedly decrease over the years. It is clear that we share values ​​and a vision, and we look forward to achieving our common goals through a strong and successful partnership. »

Between the first-class facilities in Hinwil with an ad hoc wind tunnel, “in-house” know-how, a reputation, a location less than 4 hours by car from Ingolstadt, and an economic rebalancing with England which, in in terms of salary costs, makes Switzerland just as attractive from now on, Sauber AG was by far the best option for Audi. With the arrival of Seidl at the head of the Sauber team and this entry into the capital, the marriage is officially consummated with Audi. 

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