Following an unsuccessful deal with Red Bull and Porsche, sister brand Audi is now set to partner with Sauber from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards.
After committing resources to Formula E for several years, Audi has finally confirmed that it will venture into the top tier of motorsport from the 2026 Formula 1 season alongside the long-standing Sauber team.
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Currently sponsored by Alfa Romeo Orlen and supplied engines by Ferrari, the Swiss-based team will wear new colours and sport new power from 2026 onwards. This will be the year marking the next significant regulation updates that will see the 1,6-litre turbocharged V6 motors employ fully synthetic fuel while the electrical power generated will be increased by 50% in comparison to current outputs.
This follows the news of former Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess in May that Porsche and Audi would both feature on the most elite motorsport grid from 2026. Since Porsche and Red Bull could not meet an agreement with the deal being cancelled at the last minute, Audi will have to forge a name for the automaker conglomerate alone.
Sauber will continue to receive engines from Ferrari for the 2024 and 2025 seasons although the “Alfa Romeo Racing” moniker will be dropped. From 2026, Audi will likely provide a new team name, new colours and mount an Ingolstadt-origin motor behind the driver.
The motor itself will be developed at the Neuburg an der Donau site in the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district while Sauber will continue to assemble their challenger in Hinwil, Switzerland.
“To become Audi’s official works team is not only an honour and a great responsibility,” said Sauber Motorsport CEO and Team Principal Fred Vasseur. “It’s the best option for the future and we are fully confident we can help Audi achieve the objectives they have set for their journey in Formula 1.”
