Audi to fully take over Sauber F1 team

DPA
·1 min read
Andreas Seidl from the German Kick Sauber team arrives at the Bahrain International Circuit. Audi will take over 100% of Formula One team Sauber when it enters the sport in 2026, rather than the 75% previously announced. David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
Andreas Seidl from the German Kick Sauber team arrives at the Bahrain International Circuit. Audi will take over 100% of Formula One team Sauber when it enters the sport in 2026, rather than the 75% previously announced. David Davies/PA Wire/dpa

Audi will take over 100% of Formula One team Sauber when it enters the sport in 2026, rather than the 75% previously announced.

A statement from the German car company on Friday said current Sauber managing director Andreas Seidl - previously McLaren team principal - will also stay in the role when Audi takes full control.

"We have ambitious goals," Seidl said in a statement.

Audi, owned by Volkswagen, is already building a new engine in Germany for its Formula One project while the chassis will come from the Sauber factory in Switzerland.

This season's team is racing under the name Kick Sauber and there is not yet confirmation about 2025 and whether Audi may enter the sport earlier than planned. Huge rule changes are coming in 2026, which is why the manufacturer had targeted that date originally. Future names for the team are being worked out.

Overall responsibility for Audi's Formula One project will lie with the former Audi board member for development, Oliver Hoffmann, who will become chairman of the board of the Sauber Group.