Andreas Seidl, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Audi’s Formula 1 (F1) team, provided an update on the project’s progress as the German automaker prepares to fully acquire Sauber for the 2026 season. Audi announced its intention to enter F1 starting in 2026 during the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. It was later revealed that Audi would acquire a majority stake in the Hinwil-based Sauber team. Speculation arose due to internal changes in Audi’s board and the lack of updates on the German manufacturer’s progress. However, Audi dispelled these rumors by announcing at this year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that it would increase its acquisition of Sauber from 75% to a full acquisition. Seidl emphasized the importance of following their plans and implementing them step by step, stating that the announcement of the total acquisition in March put an end to 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 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 starting strong in 2026 and believes that taking full control of Audi will accelerate the necessary transformation to succeed as a factory team under the new regulations.
Audi has been mainly focusing on the power unit aspect of their work so far, and Seidl has expressed plans to transform Sauber from a private team to a full factory team. According to Seidl, Adam Baker started establishing the team and infrastructure at Audi Formula Racing GmbH in 2022. Testing of all power unit components began in 2023 and currently, the team and infrastructure are largely ready. In recent months, Sauber has been collaborating with the team to identify areas where they are behind the top F1 teams.
One area where Sauber lags behind is in the power unit, as Audi is one of the six engine manufacturers registered for 2026, alongside Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, Honda, and Red Bull. Among the six manufacturers, Audi has less experience, and Seidl acknowledges that they should not underestimate the initial advantage of their competitors. Seidl also emphasizes the importance of operational processes, in addition to technical details.
However, through negotiations with the FIA and other manufacturers regarding regulations, significant changes have been made that will require established competitors to explore new approaches. Audi’s extensive expertise in engine development, combined with the knowledge and skills of the new Formula 1 employees, will help quickly compensate for their lack of experience.
