Sauber boss reveals setback in Audi F1 project – Audi’s Formula 1 project became the subject of intense speculation since Gernot Dollner replaced Markus Duesmann as CEO and management board chairman in September 2023. Rumours from Germany were that the main board had lost confidence in the project and were considering a withdrawal.

Despite being branded Alfa Romeo, Audi had acquired 25% of the Swiss based Sauber team with the shareholding expected to rise to 75% by the end of 2025. While the team was sponsored by the Italian auto manufacturer Audi have been reticent to speak publicly about the project.

 

 

Sauber new convoluted name

Even now the Alfa Romeo deal has now ended, the team announced their official entry for 2024 as the rather convoluted “Stake F1 team Kick Sauber” but it is probable they will be referred to simply as Sauber in the media.

The refusal of Audi to lend its name to the team has led to countless rumours the German automaker is getting cold feet. Managing Director Alessandro Bravi repeatedly stressed he could not discuss the Audi programme while Stelantis which owns Alfa Romeo were yet investing large amounts of money, yet Bravi did affirm:

“Audi has a strong commitment to Formula 1, together with Sauber. This commitment comes from a decision from not only the board of Audi but also the supervisory board of VW. It’s a group decision and the commitment is there.”

“We have two owners, two shareholders. There is a governance in place according to the different stages of transaction that will be completed ahead of 2026. We are proceeding with the investment plan in according with the governance that’s been agreed.”

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Key admits Audi F1 delay

Whilst the target for the full ‘Audi-isation’ of Sauber remains on time, now the team’s technical director, James Key, has claimed that the team will not be the ‘final product’ until their second year under Audi, in 2027.

The former McLaren engineer believes that there is much to be done for 2026 and even that year may be formative for the re-branded German owned team. As AlphaTauri have discovered recruiting good staff from England’s motorsport valley to live and work abroad is not an easy task.

“There is a lead time to people of course, with garden periods. So we’re aware of that,” Key told Motorsport.com “We’re certainly not waiting for that, there’s a lot of stuff we can do now without any extra people and so on.

“But ultimately, to achieve our goals, we have to expand in all the key areas, and in fact in all areas. Everywhere has got to take a step up regardless of where we are in that process. So that’s the short-term ambition, exactly what we’re doing now, working closely with Andreas [Seidl] on that for ’24, as well as the future. And then we’ll see how we go.

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Sauber fell backwards in 2023

Worryingly for the Sauber-Audi project is the fact Key admits the reports were true that they are now behind schedule in the race for the next big regulation change in 2026.

“I think ultimately, we’re probably not going to be the final product that we’re aiming for until about ’27 time really, because there is a lot to do. But we’ll be in far better shape as we approach ’26. And that will give us the opportunity to take the step forward we need to,” Key reveals.

Sauber were shuffled back in the field late last season as a resurgent AlphaTauri scored well following the return of Daniel Ricciardo from injury and some of the best driving yet delivered from their Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. The Swiss team finished just six points ahead of Haas F1 who had one of their most underwhelming seasons.

So to the progress being made as overseen by CEO Andreas Seidl who started in earnest in January. The former McLaren team principal was reportedly keen to accelerate the level of Audi’s investment to ensure they remained on the planned trajectory.

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New facilities developed at Hinwii

What has changed is that the Capital Expenditure allowance has been increased which allows Sauber to spend an additional $20million in the three-year cost cap reporting period covering 2024-2026.

The team will use these funds to improve their ageing infrastructure and Audi have apparently made available to cash to support this development.

In terms of staffing, Sauber have a huge task as they attempt to increase their personnel numbers from around 550 to 850 yet the best engineers who suffered redundancy under the original cost cap implementation have all now been reallocated amongst other teams.

It’s understood the team will use this to accelerate the plans that are already in place for infrastructure improvements. The cash is apparently available to increase the spending in line with that extra allowance.

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Sainz linked with Audi F1 project

The team were looking for a senior aerodynamicist towards the end of last season and discussion have reportedly begun on their driver line up for 2026.

Carlos Sainz has repeatedly been linked with the Audi F1 project and his demands made to Ferrari in the summer would suggest this could be true.

“I’m not going to lie, I don’t like going into my last year of a contract without really knowing where I’m racing the next year,” he said. “I went through that process both with Red Bull and Renault, and I know it’s not ideal as an athlete, and as a driver. It’s just not the right thing. And that’s why I have put this winter as a reference to try and figure out my future.  

“My priority, and my main goal, is to win one day with Ferrari. And I think I’ve made that clear, very, very often. And that’s why I will give my priority to them this winter,” insisted the Spaniard.

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Audi-Sauber appear lacking in ambition

The Spaniard’s contract with the Scuderia ends this year and with the Italian media claiming before Christmas that Charles Leclerc will be offered a five year extension on his contract, Sainz may decide the reported 1 year extension Ferrari are offering him will time perfectly with Audi formally joining F1 in 2026.

The suggestions that Audi was ready to ditch its F1 project appear now to be wide of the mark but the comments of then CEO Duesmann back in 2022, stating Audi F1 will be “very competitive” within three years of its debut. Given Sauber are currently scraping around at the bottom of the F1 pile for points, the enormity of this task cannot be underestimated. The years of underinvestment in the post BMW ownership years will take some turning around.

There was a ray of hope in 2022 when the new car design regulations kicked in and Sauber claimed sixth in the constructors championship. Yet this has been quickly doused as the team looks on a par with Haas F1 and will squabble over P9/P10 in the coming year.

Whilst the threat of Audi withdrawing appears to have diminished, the bog question now is whether the partnership is being ambitious enough. Gone is the talk of being “very competitive” and now James Key is suggesting it could be 2027 before the project finally comes together.

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