Audi has announced that it has signed a partnership with the Sauber Group to compete in F1 as a factory team from the 2026 season.

Following the announcement of its entry into Formula 1 at the end of August, Audi’s confirmation of its strategic partner marks the next step in the company’s entry into motorsport’s elite category. With around 30 years of racing experience, Sauber is one of the most renowned and historic teams in Formula 1.

While the power unit will be created at the Audi Motorsport Competence Centre in Neuburg an der Donau, Sauber will develop and manufacture the single-seater at its site in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber will also be responsible for the planning and execution of race operations.

Previous collaborations between Audi and Sauber

“We are delighted to have won such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” said Oliver Hoffmann, member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG.

“We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art facilities and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team.”

“For example, Audi Sport has already regularly used the Sauber Group’s high-tech wind tunnel in Hinwil, just under four hours away, during the successful Le Mans era and during the development of the Class 1 touring car for the DTM.”

The development of the power unit, which consists of an electric motor, battery, control systems and internal combustion engine, is already in full swing at the specially founded Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg an der Donau, where over 120 employees are already working on the project.

Currently, Sauber is teamed up with the manufacturer Alfa Romeo, but the latter recently announced that it will cease its Formula 1 activities at the end of 2023 and will therefore be replaced by Audi.