Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has dismissed speculation that the financial crisis facing parent company Volkswagen could put the German manufacturer’s Formula 1 project at risk. Döllner insists Audi’s F1 operation has independent financing and remains committed to its target of winning the World Championship by 2030.
The future of Audi’s Formula 1 programme has come under renewed scrutiny as Volkswagen continues to deal with significant economic challenges. However, Döllner told Sport Bild that the F1 project was deliberately structured to operate independently.
“No. The project is completely independent. Both from the Volkswagen Group and from Audi as a company. That was and is immensely important to us,” Döllner said.
The Audi CEO explained that financial independence was considered before the manufacturer committed to Formula 1, with the long-term objective of making the programme break even during the current decade.
Audi F1 project has independent financing
“That’s why, before taking the step towards Formula 1 three years ago, we developed a business case that includes independent financing. The goal is for this to reach break-even within this decade,” Döllner explained.
That structure is intended to protect the F1 operation from the wider financial pressures affecting Volkswagen and prevent the manufacturer’s racing programme from becoming dependent on short-term decisions elsewhere within the group.
Audi completed its takeover of the Sauber operation ahead of its first full season as a factory Formula 1 team, making it one of the sport’s newest works entrants.
Audi still targeting 2030 Formula 1 title
Despite the challenges encountered during its entry into Formula 1, Döllner says Audi has not changed its ultimate ambition.
“That is still our goal, yes. We will – and already have – had to accept setbacks along the way. But that’s part of it. We were aware of that when we formulated our objective.”
The German manufacturer wants to become a genuine championship contender within only a few years of entering the sport.
“Other manufacturers have already achieved such a rapid rise in Formula 1 history,” Döllner said. “We want to be the next ones to do it. To achieve this, we must strictly follow our ambitious plan and not shy away from making big decisions.”
That approach has already included significant changes within the organisation as Audi continues to reshape its F1 operation.
Wheatley departure adds to Audi’s reshuffle
One of the most notable changes was the departure of team principal Jonathan Wheatley, with Audi reorganising its leadership structure.
Döllner was asked whether Wheatley’s exit was connected to speculation that the former Red Bull executive had been considering a move to Aston Martin.
“We don’t comment on speculation about the reasons,” Döllner said. “But these are moments when you pause and wonder what happens next.”
Döllner nevertheless stressed Wheatley’s importance to the project, describing him as “a key factor for the team.”
Audi subsequently moved quickly to establish a new leadership structure involving Mattia Binotto, with Döllner saying the team is “very happy with” its solution.
Audi gives first season a “solid 2”
Döllner also offered his assessment of Audi’s debut Formula 1 campaign, giving the team “a solid 2” under the German grading system.
The CEO believes the results could have been stronger but says a combination of mistakes, reliability problems and bad luck prevented Audi from extracting its full potential.
“We could have scored more points in one or two areas, but were held back by our own mistakes, bad luck, or technical problems,” Döllner said.
For Audi, the immediate objective is therefore to turn those lessons into progress while maintaining the financial independence that Döllner says was built into the F1 project from the beginning.
The Volkswagen crisis may continue to raise questions about the manufacturer’s wider motorsport commitments, but Audi’s leadership is publicly maintaining that its Formula 1 programme is protected by its own business case and remains focused on the 2030 World Championship target.
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