A car on display in the pit lane while Audi officially registers as an engine manufacturer for the Formula 1 championship in 2026. On August 26, 2022, during the Practice Day of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, Volkswagen AG announced its strengthened commitment to Formula 1. They revealed that Audi will now acquire 100% of the shares of the Sauber operation, instead of the previously planned 75%. Andreas Seidl was appointed as the public face of the project, taking on the role of CEO of Audi F1. This confirmation comes after reports this week that Audi planned to increase its involvement in Formula 1 ahead of its entry in 2026.
Seidl, the current CEO of Sauber, will now lead the Audi F1 project as its public representative. Additionally, Oliver Hoffmann, as mentioned earlier, will have a supervisory role across the entire Audi F1 operation. This includes managing the Sauber base in Hinwill, the development of the Audi power unit in Neuburg, and providing strategic direction for the project. Hoffmann will be appointed the General Representative of the Audi F1 project and will also chair the shareholder committee of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, as well as becoming the Chairman of the Board of all Sauber companies.
As a result of his new responsibilities, Hoffmann will step down from his position as Head of Technical Development on the Audi Board of Management. These roles will now be taken on by CEO Gernot Döllner. Manfred Döss, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, emphasized the importance of Audi’s entry into Formula 1, both in terms of its motorsport history and the financial commitment it entails. He stated that consolidating Hoffmann’s responsibilities and the complete acquisition of the Sauber Group will accelerate their preparations for the 2026 season.
Jörg Schlagbauer, Vice-President of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the General Council of AUDI AG, emphasized the need for Audi to remain technologically flexible and future-proof. He highlighted the importance of having a clear direction, with the motto ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ (advancement through technology) as its aspiration. Schlagbauer expressed his expectation for closer collaboration with Gernot Döllner and thanked Oliver Hoffmann for his contributions. He wished them success in the premier class of motorsport.
Hoffmann expressed his passion for motorsport, especially Formula 1. He firmly believes that by consolidating responsibilities and acquiring 100% ownership of the Sauber Group, Audi will accelerate its preparations for the launch in 2026.
“I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Andreas Seidl as CEO of the Audi F1 Team. He is the perfect candidate for our ambitious plan. With his extensive experience in leadership roles at manufacturers and Formula 1 teams, he will play a crucial role in Audi’s Formula 1 project.”
Seidl expressed his gratitude, saying: “I would like to thank Gernot Döllner and Oliver Hoffmann for their trust in me. I am excited to lead Audi in Formula 1 as CEO of the Audi F1 Team, alongside a highly motivated team.
“We have a clear roadmap to achieve competitiveness both in Hinwil and Neuburg. Our goals are ambitious.
“We are currently in the process of achieving these goals, and the full acquisition of Sauber by AUDI AG will further accelerate our progress.”
Audi initially acquired 25% of Sauber’s shares before the 2023 season, and it was expected that the German company would increase to a three-quarters stake in the Swiss Formula 1 team.
The decision by Audi to seek a complete acquisition demonstrates its strong determination to make its Formula 1 team a resounding success.
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Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen secured an exciting victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, outperformed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to secure the top spot on the podium.
The race was full of action and drama, with several collisions and incidents along the way. Verstappen showed skill and determination, overtaking Hamilton in a bold move to take the lead.
Hamilton, who started in pole position, fought bravely to maintain his position but couldn’t hold off Verstappen. The Mercedes driver finished in second place, followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in third.
Verstappen’s victory in Monaco was his second consecutive win this season, solidifying his lead in the championship. With this result, he is now ahead of Hamilton in the overall standings.
The next Formula 1 race will be the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will take place next weekend. Verstappen will certainly be aiming for another victory to strengthen his position in the championship.
Racing fans are eager to see how the battle between Verstappen and Hamilton will unfold throughout the season. Both drivers are extremely talented and are determined to win the world title.
Formula 1 continues to be an exciting and unpredictable sport, with each race bringing new challenges and surprises. Fans can expect more thrilling moments and fierce competition in the upcoming stages of the championship.
