MADRID, 26 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The multinational car manufacturing company Audi announced this Wednesday that its strategic partner for Formula 1 from 2026 will be the Swiss team Sauber, which currently runs under the banner of Alfa Romeo and which will become the factory team of the German company, using its power unit, according to a statement.
“Audi has selected Sauber as a strategic partner for the project and plans to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group. The partnership will see the traditional Swiss team compete as the Audi factory team from 2026 using the power unit developed by Audi. “, indicated the note issued by the company.
This announcement comes after the German factory advanced its entry into Formula 1 at the end of August. One of the reasons for choosing Sauber is its history in speed, “with around 30 years of competitive experience”, which makes it “one of the most renowned and traditional teams in Formula 1”.
Audi will be responsible for creating and assembling the power unit, which will be developed at the company’s Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg, while Sauber will manufacture the single-seater in Hinwil (Switzerland), as well as being responsible for planning and executing the operations of race.
“We are delighted to partner with such an experienced and competent team for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Technical Development Board of AUDI AG. “We already know the Sauber Group and its state-of-the-art facilities and experienced team, we are convinced that together we will form a strong team,” he added, before being convinced that “Sauber is a first-class partner” to begin his adventure in Formula 1 in 2026.
From Sauber, they agree that “Audi is the best partner” for the group. “It is clear that both companies share the same values ??and vision. We look forward to achieving our goals with a strong and successful partnership,” said Finn Rausing, Chairman of Sauber Holding.
The development of the power unit, consisting of an electric motor, a battery, control systems and a combustion engine, is already in full swing at the premises of the specially founded Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg. More than 120 employees are already working on the project by 2026, when the new regulations that include greater electrical power and one hundred percent sustainable fuels are introduced.
“We look forward to working with an experienced team that has helped shape many eras of Formula 1 history. Together, we want to write the next chapter starting in 2026,” applauded Adam Baker, Audi Project Manager Formula 1.
For his part, the president of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, celebrated this “great news”, since the association of the two companies generates “a very exciting perspective” for this sport. “It highlights the strong momentum that Formula 1 has and the confidence in our strategy to continue to grow and improve the sport. We look forward to the arrival of the car on the grid in the team’s first race,” he added.
Before Audi’s arrival, Alfa Romeo will end its main sponsorship with Sauber at the end of next season. The Swiss team will continue to use Ferrari engines until the end of 2025, before collaborating with Audi a year later. The German company plans to complete its first tests of the new engine in 2025.
