Audi made a significant acquisition of the Sauber F1 team earlier this year. The executive director of competition at Audi, Adam Baker, recently spoke to the media about the company’s upcoming debut in Formula 1 in 2026. Baker expressed the team’s immense excitement and anticipation for their first race.
Audi’s announcement of joining the pinnacle of motorsport in 2022 generated high expectations and excitement among the F1 community. As a result, the Volkswagen-owned company revealed their partnership with Sauber to make their initial foray into the sport. This collaboration led to Audi acquiring 100 percent ownership of the Sauber team, which will be rebranded as Audi from 2026. Baker emphasized that the introduction of new power units and regulations in 2026 will present an exhilarating challenge for the team.
Speaking on behalf of Audi, Baker expressed the team’s enthusiasm for the unique sound of the power units on F1 circuits. This excitement has motivated everyone involved in the project. The 2026 season will witness Audi competing against formidable opponents like Red Bull and Mercedes in the world of motorsport.
A representative from the stake team confirmed that Sauber, soon to be Audi, is currently in negotiations with four race-winning drivers for a potential move in 2025. Sauber has yet to finalize its driver lineup for the upcoming season, having recently signed a driver from Haas. The four drivers under consideration are rumored to be Alpine’s driver A and B, Stake Sauber F1’s driver C, and Ferrari’s driver D. However, Pierre Gasly’s contract extension with Alpine has eliminated him from the list of potential candidates.
Carlos Sainz has been a subject of speculation surrounding Sauber-owned Audi. Sainz, who has performed exceptionally well this season, is yet to make a decision about his future. Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas are also awaiting a response from Audi, who will evaluate their performance during the current season before making a decision.