Andreas Seidl, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Audi Formula 1 (F1) team, provided an update on the progress of the project as the German car manufacturer prepares to fully acquire Sauber for the 2026 season. Audi announced its intention to participate in F1 from 2026 onwards during the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. It was later revealed that Audi would acquire a majority stake in the Sauber team based in Hinwil. Speculation arose due to internal changes within the Audi board and a lack of updates on the progress of the German manufacturer. However, Audi dispelled these rumors by announcing at this year’s Saudi Arabian GP that it would increase its acquisition of Sauber from 75% to a full takeover. Seidl emphasized the importance of sticking to their plans and implementing them step by step, stating that the full takeover announcement in March put an end to the rumors and allowed them to make important decisions more quickly. Audi’s decision to enter F1 was based on the revised power unit regulations confirmed in 2022, which focus on sustainable fuels and electrification. Seidl mentioned that the initial work on the power unit began after the launch of the 2022 project. With less than two years until Audi joins the F1 grid, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. Seidl expressed confidence in getting off to a good start in 2026 and believes that taking full control of Audi will accelerate the transformation needed to succeed as a factory team under the new regulations.
Audi has primarily focused on the power unit aspect of their work thus far, and Seidl has expressed plans to transform Sauber from a privateer team to a fully-fledged works team. According to Seidl, Adam Baker initiated the establishment of the team and infrastructure at Audi Formula Racing GmbH in 2022. Testing for all power unit components commenced in 2023, and at present, the team and infrastructure are largely in place. Over the past few months, Sauber has collaborated with the team to identify areas where they fall behind the top teams in F1.
One of the areas where Sauber lags behind is in the power unit, as Audi is one of six registered engine manufacturers for 2026, alongside Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, Honda, and Red Bull. Among the six manufacturers, Audi has the least experience, and Seidl acknowledges that they should not underestimate the head start their competitors have. Seidl also emphasizes the importance of operational processes, in addition to technical details.
Nevertheless, through negotiations with the FIA and other manufacturers regarding the regulations, significant changes have been made that will require established competitors to explore new approaches. Audi’s extensive expertise in drive development, combined with the knowledge and skills of new Formula 1 employees, will aid in quickly compensating for their lack of experience.