Audi is gearing up for its inaugural Formula 1 season in 2026, coinciding with a significant shift in the regulations that will usher in a new era for the championship.
The 2026 F1 season will see the introduction of smaller and lighter vehicles featuring active aerodynamics, with electrical power accounting for half of the total output in revamped power units that operate on 100% sustainable fuels.
This transition will also coincide with Audi’s entry into the series, as it works towards acquiring the Sauber team, a fixture on the F1 grid since 1993.
The Swiss team has played a crucial role in launching the careers of numerous talented drivers, including Charles Leclerc, Felipe Massa, and 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Sauber’s most successful chapter occurred during its BMW-Sauber era from 2006 to 2010, achieving second place in the 2007 constructors’ championship and winning the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica, while also finishing third in that year’s constructors’ standings.
Audi aspires to exceed this success by developing its own engine. It is one of six suppliers currently committed to supplying power units for the 2026 season, though Renault’s future as Alpine’s engine supplier remains uncertain.
So, what are Audi’s motivations for entering F1, and what is the current landscape ahead of Sauber’s last season as Alfa Romeo?
Why is Audi entering F1?
Audi will join F1 in 2026 as an engine supplier and constructor, taking over the current Sauber operation
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Audi first declared its intention to enter F1 as a power unit supplier in August 2022, following the announcement of new engine regulations.
The decision to join was influenced by the 2026 power units’ emphasis on increased electrical power and sustainable fuels, alongside Audi’s support for F1’s cost-cap initiatives and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Markus Dussmann, Audi’s then-CEO, said in 2022: “Motorsport is a fundamental part of Audi’s DNA. Formula 1 presents a global platform for our brand and serves as a demanding development laboratory.
“The combination of high-performance and competition fosters innovation and technology transfer in our field.
“With the new regulations, it is the ideal time for our involvement. Both Audi and Formula 1 share a commitment to sustainability.”
These factors convinced Audi’s leadership, but they weren’t the sole reasons for joining F1.
Herbert Diess, former head of the Volkswagen Group—Audi’s parent company—expressed candidly that participation in F1 could provide a competitive edge over rival German manufacturers, Daimler and BMW, using the old adage of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ to justify the decision.
Initially, Audi was reserved about its choice of partner, despite indications of a partnership with Sauber that were formally confirmed in October 2022.
Sauber previously competed under the Alfa Romeo moniker
Photo by: Alfa Romeo
The partnership was aided by Audi’s previous use of Sauber’s wind tunnel for its World Endurance Championship program, as indicated by Oliver Hoffmann, a former Audi board member.
At the time, Sauber announced that Audi would purchase a minority share in the team—officially confirmed to be 25% in January 2023.
However, this investment did not have immediate repercussions as the team continued under the Alfa Romeo name before transitioning back to Sauber for the 2024 season. They will also utilize Ferrari’s power units until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Sauber’s engagement with Alfa Romeo initially limited Audi’s public comments about its F1 strategy, leading to speculation surrounding its entry.
This was clarified by Audi’s new CEO Gernot Dollner, who asserted last year that “the plan is set” for a 2026 entry.
Sauber’s representative, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are constrained in our communications regarding the team and Audi’s involvement and we respect Alfa Romeo’s position in this.”
Following the end of Sauber’s affiliation with Alfa Romeo, Audi has become increasingly transparent about its plans, including a full takeover ahead of 2026, despite initial expectations of a mere 75% stake in the team.
Audi is also active in the driver market in light of significant management changes, including Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl and Hoffmann’s exit from the project. Additionally, it was announced in 2024 that British energy company BP will supply sustainable fuels for the Audi F1 Team upon its entry into the series.
Who will be part of Audi F1 Team’s driver line-up?
Hulkenberg is the first driver that Audi has signed
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Nico Hulkenberg will join the Audi F1 Team, having signed a multi-year contract starting in 2025. This marks his second stint with Sauber, where he last raced in 2013.
While Hulkenberg’s German nationality is likely a significant factor in Audi’s decision, it also follows a commendable string of performances that have seen him frequently outperform his Haas teammate Kevin Magnussen over the past two years.
However, the unresolved situation around the second driver seat, which remains vacant, has stalled Audi’s progress in the driver market.
Audi’s main target is Carlos Sainz, who is expected to leave Ferrari at the end of 2024, yet the offer made to him did not entice the grand prix winner. He is now contemplating offers from both Williams and Alpine.
The Spaniard, whose father, Carlos Sainz Sr., secured the Dakar Rally title with Audi in January, has expressed the importance of taking his time to make a decision.
If Sainz turns down Audi, the list of alternatives is limited.
Considering the current Sauber lineup, Zhou Guanyu’s tenure in F1 may soon be over, as the 25-year-old has not made a strong impression in his three years in the championship.
One of Sauber’s two current drivers, Zhou and Bottas, may stay with the team if Sainz doesn’t sign
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Nevertheless, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou’s more seasoned teammate, holds a crucial position in the driver market, with his contract also set to expire at the end of 2024.
Bottas’s future largely hinges on Sainz’s decision, as the Spaniard is the first-choice candidate for numerous teams.
If Audi fails to secure Sainz, it could lead to Bottas remaining with the team and partnering Hulkenberg in 2026, although he is rumored to be in discussions with Williams as well.
Who will lead the Audi F1 team?
Mattia Binotto has been appointed as the team principal for the Audi F1 team, following a significant management overhaul brought about by internal conflicts within the organization.
In early 2023, Seidl left his role as McLaren team boss to spearhead the Audi project, with Hulkenberg praising him as a “driving factor” in his decision to join the team.
Seidl and Hulkenberg previously collaborated at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours when Seidl was at the helm of the dominant Porsche LMP1 team, with Hulkenberg partaking in two races that year.
Though Seidl originally had complete control over the project’s direction, changes took place when Hoffmann assumed the role of chairman for all Sauber companies in March, complicating decision-making and hindering progress.
Sauber’s challenging competitive context has exacerbated the situation, as the team currently sits last in the 2024 F1 championship without a single point to its name.
Binotto has been hired to lead the project into its new era
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Seidl and Hoffmann’s departures from the project have raised questions about the driver market, with Hulkenberg expressing his surprise that the individuals who initiated his signing will exit prior to his joining.
Nonetheless, Hulkenberg reassures that the organizational changes have not caused any concerns, as he is “more invested in the project” than in the people who signed him.
This restructuring may benefit the pursuit of Sainz, who has previously collaborated with Seidl at McLaren, since Binotto was his team principal during his tenure at Ferrari. However, Sainz has clarified, “I’m going to take my time to decide, evaluating all the factors that are in flux.”
Bottas believes that the changes will “reset” the driver market because the dynamics have shifted with the change in leadership from Andreas and Oliver to Mattia, and discussions will need to occur in light of this transition.
Where will the Audi F1 Team be located?
The Audi F1 Team’s operations will be split between two major facilities: Hinwil in Switzerland and Neuburg in Germany.
Hinwil will serve as the base since it has been the home of the Sauber operation since the 1970s when it participated in sportscar racing. The facility, spanning 15,600 square meters, will host most of the operations due to its cutting-edge wind tunnel building, allowing for the construction of the Audi F1 chassis in Switzerland.
Audi has already made considerable progress with its 2026 power unit
Photo by: Audi
Meanwhile, the power unit for the Audi F1 Team will be developed in Germany, utilizing Audi’s 3,000 square meter facility in Neuburg, established in 2014. This site features 22 test benches specifically for testing power units. Audi has indicated that it has already conducted numerous simulations across different F1 circuits, with about 300 staff members engaged in this project in Germany.
What is Audi’s motorsport heritage?
While 2026 will mark Audi’s debut in F1, the company boasts a rich motorsport legacy, particularly in sports car racing and rallying.
Audi ranks second to Porsche for the most wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with an impressive total of 13 victories at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
The brand’s first triumph occurred in 2000, when its factory team, run by Joest, achieved a podium sweep with the R8, initiating a saga that saw Tom Kristensen secure seven Le Mans wins driving for Audi.
Audi dominated the Le Mans 24 Hours, clinching all 13 of its wins within the first 15 editions of the race in the 21st century; its last triumph occurred in 2014 with the R18.
However, the arrival of Seidl’s Porsche squad in 2015 marked a new chapter, as they claimed their first of three consecutive victories, while Audi stepped back from competition in 2017 and has not returned since.
Audi’s presence in the World Rally Championship has also been absent for a significant period, with its last campaign occurring in 1987—the inaugural season of Group A regulations following the end of the storied Group B era.
During its seven-year tenure in rallying, Audi secured the manufacturers’ title in 1982 and 1984.
Audi enjoyed enormous success at Le Mans and has strong pedigree in rallying too
Photo by: Motorsport Images
One of the most notable seasons for Audi occurred in 1983 when they were involved in a fierce rivalry with Lancia, with both manufacturers winning 10 out of 12 rallies collectively.
Ultimately, Lancia edged Audi for the manufacturers’ title by just two points, despite Audi’s Hannu Mikkola securing the drivers’ championship—a story depicted in the 2024 film Race For Glory: Audi Vs Lancia.
On a positive note, Audi recently showcased its strength in rallying with a historic first win at the Dakar Rally in 2024, just two years after debuting the RS Q e-tron.
