Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026 as a partner of the Sauber team, which is currently racing as Alfa Romeo.
In August, Audi confirmed to participate in F1 as engine builder when it comes to the new regulations, but did not confirm which teams will participate.
On Wednesday, it was announced as has been expected for some time that the German manufacturer will work with Sauber’s team. Alfa Romeo recently confirmed its partnership with the team will end after 2025.
The news makes a seat with Sauber in 2026 an amazingly appealing option for any driver, with Audi hoping to compete immediately – the company feels the engine regulations The new F1 gives them a more equal opportunity to participate in the sport than the current F1 manufacturers.
Sauber’s news release said: “This partnership will take the team to the next level, while securing the long-term future of the company – an entity that boasts a dedicated workforce, a of Europe’s leading wind tunnels and base world-class sports car production.”
The project will be based at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg, Germany, near the company’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, where Audi has set up test benches for the F1 engine.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali said the arrival of Audi was a pivotal moment for the sport.
“It is great news to hear that Audi will partner with Sauber to enter Formula 1 in 2026,” he said. “The combination of those two names is a very exciting prospect for our sport. It highlights the strong momentum that Formula 1 has and the belief in our strategy to develop and enhance the sport while delivering on our sustainability plans as Net Zero Carbon by 2030 with advanced sustainable fuels in cars by 2026.
“We look forward to seeing their progress in the coming years and the car on the grid for the team’s first race.”
In a few months it looks like Audi’s sister company Porsche, also part of the Volkswagen Group, will join F1.
Porsche had hoped to buy a 50% stake in Red Bull Technologies but in early September, Negotiations between Red Bull and Porsche have broken down.
Red Bull was unwilling to relinquish control of its racing team, and Porsche instead offered Porsche the opportunity to invest in a new powertrain unit, which would undertake F1 engine production.
It is not yet clear whether Porsche will seek to enter the sport with another team in 2026, although the desire is clearly to.
