Audi completed its full takeover of Sauber in early 2025 and has since restructured leadership as it prepares its 2026 Formula 1 factory team debut. Here's everything you need to know about the project
Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 entry looks to be on firmer ground, after Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund confirmed a significant investment in the team, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The additional capital is expected to “accelerate the team’s growth” following the addition of Mattia Binotto, the ex-Ferrari team principal, and Red Bull’s former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who have been hired to lead the team just 12 months before the car is planned to appear on track for the first time.
In January 2025, Audi completed its planned 100% takeover of Sauber Holding AG, marking a major milestone in its ambitious Formula 1 project.
Originally intended as a gradual stake acquisition, Audi accelerated this plan under new leadership, acquiring full ownership to strengthen control ahead of its official works team debut in 2026.
For some time there were whispers that all was not well behind the scenes. These appeared to be confirmed in late July of 2024 with the announcement that Andreas Seidl — who joined as team CEO in 2023, having been team principal of McLaren — would be leaving, and that Binotto would be joining as chief operating and chief technical officer. A week later, that was followed by news that Wheatley would become the new Audi team principal.
“Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner of Binotto’s hire, adding that this would be by means of “clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes.”
It chimes with the view of some insiders, who have suggested that the team had been waiting on funding to recruit the new staff it needed, and that it didn’t yet have the capacity to start work on its first car. But in November 2024, Audi seemingly secured that funding through Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) which already owns Ligue 1 football club, Paris Saint-Germain.
Mattia Binotto will be the new COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport
Audi
Binotto faces a complex set-up. He has been named chief operating and technical officer of Sauber Motorsport — part of the Sauber Group which is in the process of being taken over entirely by Audi. In 2026, the Swiss-based team will be rebranded as fully-fledged factory Audi effort.
Although he will be familiar with the structure that’s needed, having managed Ferrari’s engine department, worked as chief technical officer, and then team principal before leaving the team at the end of 2022, the Italian has already admitted that the Audi project is a “bigger challenge than the one I was expecting”.
Work on Audi’s 2026 engine has been underway for over two years, and the power unit has already covered simulated race distances.
Binotto has made limited visits to grands prix in 2025, instead choosing to devote more time at the factories in Switzerland and Germany where he says “we need to develop the most”.
Audi’s F1 show car was on display in Qatar’s ‘Geneva’ Motor Show
Getty Images
Concerns over Audi’s competitiveness were thought to be a factor in Carlos Sainz turning down an offer from the team, despite reports of a lucrative contract offer. The sudden departure of Seidl did nothing to calm the rumours.
The former McLaren F1 team boss joined as Sauber CEO in 2023 to oversee the transition from Sauber to Audi, and to direct investment where needed.
Leaving alongside Seidl was Oliver Hoffmann, Audi’s chief technical officer who had even greater reponsibility, overseeing the entire project, including the Sauber team, engine development and Audi’s marketing.
How much did Audi pay for Sauber?
Neither Sauber nor Audi has produced any official figures on the takeover deal, but paddock whispers suggest that the initial sum — for 75% of the business — was somewhere in the region of $450m (£353m), which would give Sauber a value of around $600m (£470m).
Since then, Formula 1 has become even more profitable, with other team vaues appearing to rise, so Audi may have had to come up with significantly more in order to take over the business entirely.
Even so, if the initial sum is even close to being correct, it would be a cheap deal for Audi considering that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown asserted that every F1 team is now worth “at least $1.3bn” (£1bn) and Alpine‘s investors recently paid $220m (£173m) for a 24% shareholding in the Enstone outfit.
Who has invested in the Audi F1 team?
In November 2024, the Qatar sovereign wealth fund announced that it had acquired a “significant stake” in the Audi F1 team.
“The investment by QIA reflects the trust and confidence the Audi F1 Project has already garnered, underscoring unwavering commitment of Audi to the initiative,” said CEO of Audi AG Gernot Dollner.
“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy. QIA’s involvement further energizes the dedicated efforts at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities as they work towards the entry of Audi in 2026.”
The investment is the latest made by a wealthy Middle Eastern state into major sports teams and leagues. Mumtalakat (Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund) recently bought out McLaren’s supercar arm, Abu Dhabi investors own a controlling state in Manchester City football club and PIF (Saudi Arabia’s soverign wealth fund) owns professional golf league LIV and Newcastle United football club.
Who will drive for the Audi F1 team?
Hülkenberg doesn’t yet have a team-mate for 2025
Grand Prix Photo
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have been chosen as Audi’s first F1 driver. Both drivers drove for Sauber in 2025 with contracts that will take them into at least the first year of the Audi era.
Hülkenberg appears to be a perfect fit given his German nationality, and his experience which will be needed as the significantly new team looks to become competitive in F1.
Similarly, Bortoleto has shown promise in his first F1 season after a brilliant F2 campaign which saw him claim feature race wins in Austria and Italy, and made podium appearances at Imola, Spa, Losail and Yas Marina.
What will the Audi-run F1 team be called?
The team will be officially called the “Revolut Audi F1 Team.”
The name reflects their multi-year title partnership with Revolut, which will also integrate with the team’s financial operations and fan engagement initiatives.
Will the staff stay the same?
Since Audi completed its full takeover of Sauber in early 2025, the team has undergone significant but measured restructuring to prepare for the 2026 works programme.
The Andretti F1 bid has now been revived as a fully rebranded General Motors/Cadillac team. Here’s everything you need to know about the US-based outfit including details on its entry and why it was first rejected
By
Cambridge Kisby
Wheatley, formerly Red Bull’s sporting director, joined as team principal in April 2025, succeeding Alessandro Alunni Bravi, who departed at the start of the year.
The team also welcomed experienced personnel such as Iñaki Rueda, former Ferrari head of race strategy, who took over sporting director duties, while long-time Sauber stalwart Beat Zehnder moved into a director role focused on heritage and operations.
Giampaolo Dall’Ara was appointed as head of racing engineering to strengthen technical departments.
While some senior staff changed, many existing personnel remain integral to the team’s evolution.
Where will Audi’s factory be?
Stefan Dreyer (left), in front of one of the Neuburg test benches, is chief technical officer of Audi Formula Racing, charged with developing the F1 power unit
Audi
The team remains based primarily in Hinwil, Switzerland, where chassis design and assembly occur.
Significantly, Sauber inaugurated a new high-tech Motorsport Technology Centre in Bicester Motion, UK, in July 2025, aimed at expanding engineering capacity and tapping into the “Motorsport Valley” talent pool.
Audi’s Neuburg, Germany, site continues to develop its own power unit, with a focus on next-generation hybrid Formula 1 engines, aligning with the regulatory changes scheduled for 2026.
Who is sponsoring the Audi F1 team?
Audi announced a multi-year global title partnership with fintech company Revolut in mid-2025, securing a flagship commercial sponsor for the team’s launch season.
In addition, Adidas became the official apparel partner for the team, supporting the brand’s global presence, especially in growing markets such as the United States.
