yesterday, theannouncement mysterious appeared on social media, with an appointment, October 26, 2022 at 10:00, and a sentence: "The future is taking shape". Audi has once again chosen to keep everyone in suspense, and today's date officially opens the doors to its Formula 1 adventure. Although the prestigious German brand had officialized the commitment in the top category already in August during the Spa weekend – by the way always on the 26th day of the month – today the response to another fundamental point of the 2026 project, namely the team to be supported immediately future as a supplier of Power Units, and more.
Audi will enter alongside Sauber
We have always had the answer to this question right under our noses, even if the two sides took the time to study their own moves, and those of the other side. The decisive step was to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group. Also right on the day he was expecting an announcement from the team Alfa Romeo, which from 2023 will leave the Swiss team, Sauber, for which it held the role of title sponsor in recent years in F1, has instead arrived the confirmation by second pilot Zhou Guanyu. Sauber's hypothesis was not the only one on the bench. At the end of June, when Porsche seemed destined for Red Bull, there were 4 names around that of the German brand: Williams, Aston Martin, McLaren and Sauber.
The Aston Martin was the other great suspect, moreover one of the biggest clues and which could also lead to this path was hidden right in the comments under the tweet published yesterday by Audi. In fact, among the answers was that of the official account of Socios, one of the partners of Alfa Romeo but also of Aston Martin.
The press release by Audi
The Audi-Sauber partnership will therefore see the traditional Swiss team compete as an Audi works team from 2026 onwards, using the power unit developed by Audi. here is the communique of the German brand and the details of the collaboration. The engine will be developed at Audi's Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg an der Donau, while Sauber will develop and produce the car at the site in Hinwil (Switzerland). Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing tender operations.
"We are delighted to have acquired such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” says Oliver Hoffmann, member of the Technical Development Council of AUDI AG. “We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art structure and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team“. In short, a collaboration that was not born today but that already has solid roots for the future.
"Sauber is a first-rate partner for the use of the Audi Power Unit“, says Adam Baker, CEO of the company. “We look forward to working with an experienced team that has helped shape many eras of Formula 1 history. Together, we want to write the next chapter starting in 2026".
The first tests with the power unit developed for the 2026 regulations in a Formula 1 test car are planned for 2025.
“Audi is the best partner”
"Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group“, says Finn Rausing, President of Sauber Holding. “It is clear that both companies share the same values and vision. We look forward to achieving our common goals with a strong and successful partnership."
Formula 1 hopes to accelerate its race towards sustainability with the new rules that will take effect from 2026. This was an important prerequisite for Audi to decide to enter the championship, so much so that the announcement came in moment in which the brand had the 2026 regulation in hand. We just have to wait and discover the new creature that will be born from this prestigious meeting.
Source: Audi Media Center
