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
How quickly can Audi make it to the front of the F1 field?
Audi’s entry into Formula 1 for 2026 is now on solid footing following the recent public reveal of its official team livery and design concept at a launch event in Munich.
Since acquiring 100% of Sauber Holding AG in January 2025, Audi has accelerated its preparations for its Formula 1 debut, including securing a significant minority investment from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund to support the team’s growth and infrastructure.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized that this capital injection will expedite development and is an integral part of Audi’s long-term F1 strategy.
The team leadership has evolved with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto taking expanded responsibilities as chief operating and technical officer, and Jonathan Wheatley as team principal.
The duo, supported by a growing team of experienced personnel, including hires from Red Bull and Ferrari, are focused on transforming Sauber into a competitive factory Audi team by the time it hits the track in 2026.
Audi’s power unit development has been progressing for over two years, with the engine already undergoing simulated race testing. Binotto spends most of his time at the technical centres in Switzerland and Germany, where the bulk of development is taking place.
Despite initial concerns about competitiveness and personnel changes – such as the departure of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann – the project has gained momentum, underscored by recent strong performances from Sauber drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto during the 2025 season.
The official team launch is slated for January 2026, with testing to follow in Barcelona and Bahrain ahead of Audi’s race debut in Melbourne.
Audi aims not merely to participate but to develop into a championship-contending outfit by around 2030, reflecting a long-term vision backed by clear management structures, significant investment, and an ambitious roadmap.
How much did Audi pay for Sauber?
Audi’s takeover of Sauber was completed in January 2025 for a reported price of around €600 million (approximately $650 million).
This figure aligns with earlier paddock whispers suggesting an initial valuation of about $600 million when Audi first acquired 75% of Sauber, implying a full takeover price in that region. This deal is considered relatively affordable compared to the soaring valuations of other F1 teams in 2025, with some teams worth well over $1 billion.
Since the Audi deal, Formula 1 team valuations have generally increased significantly. For context, the Qatar Investment Authority acquired a 30% stake in Sauber at roughly $360 million, putting the team’s valuation at about $1.2 billion as of late 2024. Furthermore, leading teams like McLaren are valued at over $4 billion, and Red Bull and Mercedes over $4 to $6 billion respectively, reflecting the sport’s growing commercial value.
Alpine had investors pay $220 million for a 24% shareholding recently, consistent with the broader trend of rising team valuations. Thus, Audi’s acquisition of Sauber at around $650 million looks favourable, considering the future potential and the increasing worth of F1 teams.
Who has invested in the Audi F1 team?
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Audi
In November 2024, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, announced it had acquired a significant minority stake in the Sauber Holding AG, which will become the Audi factory team in Formula 1 from 2026.
The investment by QIA represented a substantial capital injection to accelerate the team’s growth and strengthen infrastructure at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities.
QIA is a long-standing investor in the Volkswagen Group, which encompasses Audi, making this a natural extension of their portfolio.
This investment by QIA is part of a wider trend of significant Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund involvement in global sports, which includes Bahrain’s Mumtalakat acquisition of McLaren’s supercar division, Abu Dhabi’s ownership of Manchester City, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund investments in LIV Golf and Newcastle United.
Additionally, in mid-2025, European fintech giant Revolut became the title partner of the future Audi F1 team.
Who will drive for the Audi F1 team?
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Audi
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have been confirmed as Audi’s first Formula 1 drivers for the 2026 season. Both drivers competed for Sauber in 2025 on multi-year contracts that extend into the Audi era.
Hülkenberg brings valuable experience that will help as Audi transitions into a competitive factory team. His nationality complements Audi’s German roots well.
The driver pairing balances experience and youth, which Audi’s COO and CTO Binotto described as ideal for the ambitious project aiming to become a championship contender by 2030.
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?
Audi completed its full takeover of Sauber in early 2025, followed by a careful but substantial restructuring phase to prepare for the 2026 F1 season.
Wheatley, formerly Red Bull’s sporting director, took over as team principal in April 2025, succeeding Alessandro Alunni Bravi, who left earlier that year to pursue other ventures.
The Audi F1 team’s CEO Mattia Binotto has emphasised what a step into the unknown the 2026 regulations are
The team strengthened its technical and strategic leadership with key hires such as Iñaki Rueda, who joined as sporting director after his tenure as Ferrari’s head of race strategy. Giampaolo Dall’Ara was appointed head of racing engineering, further boosting the technical team.
Beat Zehnder, a long-serving Sauber veteran, transitioned into a director role focusing on team heritage and operational continuity, ensuring a bridge between the old Sauber identity and the new Audi project.
While some senior staff changed, Audi has retained a significant core of existing Sauber personnel. The team is largely maintaining its workforce base across both Hinwil and Audi’s Neuburg facilities, with ongoing recruitment meant to complement rather than replace current staff.
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.
