Audi has lastly revealed that it’s going to be part of forces with the Sauber Group with the Swiss firm set to change into its strategic associate and its works team from the 2026 season onwards.
Audi introduced in late August that it’s going to enter Formula One as an engine producer in the beginning of the 2026 season that may see the introduction of the brand new era energy models. Formula One is keen to take the following step to attain its formidable sustainability plan to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 by introducing the brand new engines that may function elevated electrical energy and 100% sustainable fuels.
Following Audi’s announcement in August, it was not clear which team the German producer will enter into collaboration with. Audi has now revealed that it has signed an settlement with the Sauber Group which is able to change into its strategic associate.
Furthermore, the Swiss team is not going to solely serve as a strategic associate, however it is going to function as Audi’s works team from the 2026 season onwards with Audi AG additionally planning to amass a stake within the Sauber Group. The Ingolstadt-based producer has already began the preparations for the event of the Audi Power Unit on the Neuburg facility.
The team that runs at the moment below the banner of Alfa Romeo will compete in 2024 and 2025 with its present energy unit producer, Ferrari.
Shaping the @F1 future collectively: #Audi x Sauber. The strategic partnership with the Sauber Group is the following milestone on the highway to Formula 1. The Swiss squad might be competing as an Audi manufacturing unit team from 2026 ⁰>> https://t.co/RbuOKZCY6J#F1 #Formula1 #news pic.twitter.com/cIcWExJ1NQ
— Audi (@AudiOfficial) October 26, 2022
Finn Rausing, Sauber Holding AG Chairman of the Board of Directors: “Audi is the best strategic partner for the Sauber Group. It is clear that we share values and a vision, and we look forward to achieving our common goals in a strong and successful partnership.”
Current team boss Frederic Vasseur added: “The partnership between Audi AG and Sauber Motorsport is a key step for our team as we proceed to make progress in direction of the entrance of the grid. To change into Audi’s official works team isn’t solely an honour and an ideal accountability: it’s the most suitable choice for the longer term and we’re totally assured we may also help Audi obtain the targets they’ve set for their journey in F1.”
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1 mentioned: “It is nice information to listen to that Audi can have a partnership with Sauber for their entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The mixture of these two names is a really thrilling prospect for our sport.
“It highlights the strong momentum that Formula 1 has and the belief in our strategy to further grow and enhance the sport while delivering on our sustainability plans to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 with advanced sustainable fuels in the cars in 2026. We look forward to seeing their progress over the coming years and the car on the grid for the team’s first race,” concluded Domenicali.
