As part of its strategic partnership to enter Formula One in 2026, Audi has acquired a minority stake in Sauber, the Swiss Group revealed on Monday.
Hinwil-based company Sauber announced the acquisition by German manufacturer Audi of a minority shareholding in the Group.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Sauber Group asserts: “As per the plans outlined in October last year, Audi acquired a minority stake in the Sauber Group in January 2023.
“This is an important milestone on the way to Audi’s entry in Formula One, scheduled for 2026, for which the Sauber Group will be the German brand’s strategic partner.”
From 2026, Sauber, currently competing in Formula One with Alfa Romeo branding power by Ferrari, will become the Audi works team, following the German manufacturer’s decision to enter the pinnacle of motorsport as an engine supplier.
By that time, new technical rules will apply, focussing on greater electrification - increasing the power units’ electric share by up to 50 percent - and the use of advanced sustainable synthetic fuel as the series also targets to become more cost-efficient.
The electric motor will then be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine, which has an output of about 400 kW (544 hp).
Moreover, Formula One has set itself the goal of being a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.
And for the first time in over a decade, a Formula One power train will be built in Germany at Audi’s Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg an der Donau.
Meanwhile, Sauber will be in charge of developing and manufacturing the race car at its headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, and will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations.
Early in January, Andreas Seidl took on the role of Sauber’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), moving on from McLaren F1, where he acted as Team Principal from 2019 until the end of 2022.
According to the Group, Seidl will be tasked “with continuing the growth of the group as a whole as Sauber keeps establishing itself as one of the brightest sporting and industrial entities on the market.”
The experienced German motorsport engineer replaces Frederic Vasseur, who joined Scuderia Ferrari as its new Team principal in 2023.
Last week, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake installed Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Managing Director of the Sauber Group, to the additional position of Team Representative for the FIA Formula One World Championship.
“I approach this task with humility, knowing I am part of a strong team that will get the job done, and with the belief, we have everything we need for a successful future,” the Italian, part of the Sauber Group since 2017, stated.
Appointing Alunni Bravi is one of the first tasks accomplished by the new CEO.
In that regard, Seidl commented: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Alessandro Alunni Bravi to the role of Team Representative, in addition to his existing duties of Managing Director of the Group. His vast experience in motorsport has equipped him with all the tools he needs to succeed. His intimate knowledge of the team, which he has been part of for more than five years, will ensure stability and continuity in our progression.”
“Alessandro representing the team during the Formula One championship will allow me to focus on growing the Group and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that await us.”
