OFFICIAL: Audi and Sauber confirm their union

In Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), during the formalization of its arrival in Formula 1 by 2026, Audi AG refused to confirm any rapprochement with Sauber AG regarding the choice of its chassis partner.

« We will notify you when we have made our decision ", simply repeated Oliver Hoffmann, member of the supervisory board of Audi AG and responsible for the program F1 who had just clarified that the future powertrain will take place in an existing chassis and that the firm with the rings will not create a team from scratch.

This partner team, everyone already knew that it flew the Swiss flag and that it was based in Hinwil. It was therefore only a matter of days, weeks at most, for a new formalization to take place. This is the case today.

« We are pleased to have found such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project., now explains the same German manager. We already know the Sauber Group, with its state-of-the-art facility and experienced team, from previous cooperations and we are convinced that together we will form a strong team. »

What does today’s announcement tell us?

Not much in truth since it is only a question of partnership and not of shareholding; which does not mean that the entry of Audi AG into the capital of Sauber AG is no longer on the agenda.

It's quite the opposite in fact except that, according to our sources, the acquisition phase will be done in several stages – first 25%, then 50% in a second step.

“Audi is the best strategic partner for the Sauber group,” explains Finn Rausing, president of Sauber Holding AG, 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. »

Indeed 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. In short, for Audi, after the failure of a merger with McLaren, Sauber AG was by far the best option.

« The partnership between Audi AG and Sauber Motorsport is an important step for our team on the path to first place on the grid, comments Frédéric Vasseur, CEO of Sauber Motorsport and Team Principal of the Alfa Romeo team.

Becoming the official factory team of Audi is not only an honor and a great responsibility: it is the best option for the future, and we firmly believe that we can help Audi achieve the goals that she set her sights on her career in Formula 1 »

To see the famous rings of the Ingolstadt firm appear on the engine hood of a car of Hinwil, it will however be necessary to wait until 2026 since, until then, Sauber will continue to be the strong arm of Alfa-Romeo in 2023, before lining up under its own name in 2024 and 2025, engine contract Ferrari obliged. Contract extended until the end of the 2025 financial year.

Now, between the sites of Neubourg (Germany) where the powertrain will be developed and Hinwil which will be responsible for designing the brand's first F1, the marriage is established. A union logically welcomed by those responsible for the queen discipline.

« It's great news to see Audi partner with Sauber for their arrival in Formula 1 in 2026, commented Stefano Domenicali, big boss of F1. The alliance of these two prestigious names offers tempting prospects for our sport.

It underlines the great dynamic which currently accompanies Formula 1 and validates our growth strategy as part of our sustainable development project which aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 with the introduction of renewable fuels in engines 2026 ».

The rings are put on the fingers.

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