Audi to complete full takeover of Sauber in prep for 2026 F1 entry

Audi, in preparation for their F1 debut in 2026, is set to ‘strengthen the commitment to Formula 1’ and take a 100% stake in the Sauber Group. 

During 2024, the team embarks on their transitional period as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber following Alfa Romeo’s mutual departure at the end of 2023.

Following the announcement to partner up with Sauber in 2022, with a minority stake in the team. Now, announced on Friday, the team have strengthened their commitment to F1 and accelerated their preparations. 

Audi has stated that the Members of the Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG  plan to take a 100% stake in the Sauber Group to complete a full takeover. 

On the announcement,  Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, Manfred Döss said: 

“The entry into Formula 1 is not only the pinnacle of Audi’s very successful history in motorsport, but also as big a sporting challenge as it is a financial commitment. 

“Through the bundling of Oliver Hoffmann’s responsibilities and the complete takeover of the Sauber Group, we are accelerating our preparations for the 2026 season.” 

The agreement was reached with the current majority shareholder, Islero Investment AG, who has fully supported the change. 

Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Technical Development.

Oliver Hoffmann, who currently heads the Technical Development division, will take responsibility for the overall Audi Formula 1 programme as a General Representative. He will be responsible for implementing AUDI AG’s F1 commitment and entry to the top level of motorsport. 

In addition, Hoffmann will also step down as a Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. 

Andreas Seidl, who is the current CEO of Sauber’s F1 team, will remain in his role as CEO but for the Audi F1 Team. In his role, Seidl will be responsible for the ‘implementation of the F1 project’ and the management of the F1 team. 

“I thank Gernot Döllner and Oliver Hoffmann for their trust and am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula 1 together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team,” Seidl commented. 

“We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg. We have ambitious goals. Realization of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG.”

That’s all for the article; Audi to complete full takeover of Sauber in prep for 2026 F1 entry!

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.