From 2026 onwards, the German automobile manufacturer will be relying on the Zurich Oberland region. Finnish owner Finn Rausing is likely to sell his majority stake.
Sauber and Audi – two brands brought together in one concept car.
The name Sauber, covered over the last four years by the marketing name Alfa Romeo in the entry list, is back in Formula 1. Eight weeks after Audi registered as a manufacturer for the sustainable Formula 1 engine regulations of 2026, the Ingolstadt company on Wednesday The premier class’s worst-kept secret has been revealed: they have officially announced their strategic partnership with the Sauber Group. Expectations are high, Audi describes the new cooperation as a “milestone”.
BREAKING: Sauber will compete as the Audi factory team from 2026, using an Audi power unit#F1 @audisport pic.twitter.com/DyQNR70MRp
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2022
This is the third time that the racing team from Hinwil has status as a factory team, and for the third time it is a German brand that relies on Swiss know-how. In the early 1990s, Sauber celebrated successes with Mercedes in the sports car world championship and dared to enter Formula 1; after just two years, however, the Stuttgart company moved on to McLaren. BMW took over the team from the Zürcher Oberland in 2005, and the following years saw the only Grand Prix victory in Sauber’s history. In 2009, the Munich team got out again head over heels.
It would be too expensive for Audi to create its own Formula 1 team
The future division of labor with Audi should be longer and more successful, but will be similar in principle, not only because the current Audi CEO, Markus Duesmann, as an engineer at BMW-Sauber, experienced what went well and badly during the takeover. It would also be far too expensive for Audi to create a completely new, dedicated Formula 1 team, and the chances of success would be extremely uncertain. Hence the cooperation with the Sauber task force, which is considered to be particularly effective and is competing in the premier class for the 30th year.
The new Audi powertrain is being built at the Group’s motorsport headquarters in Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria, while the emergency vehicle is being built in Hinwil. Audi has been using the wind tunnel and the high-performance computer from Sauber for years, so they know each other. It is to be expected that the infrastructure there will be further expanded. The Australian Adam Baker, who switched from the FIA to Audi a year ago and is now in charge of the Formula 1 project, describes Sauber as a first-class partner because of its extensive experience.
The schedule is tight. The first test bench trials for the new engine concept have already started, the hybrid units are operated with 100 percent sustainable fuel, 50 percent of the power is electric. The first test drives with the drive unit of the future are planned for 2025. At the same time, the immediate future of the team must be settled.
Until the end of the coming season, the Hinwil racing cars will still be liverying Alfa Romeo and sponsored by Italy. In the two following transition years, a leasing engine from Ferrari will be in the rear as before. The name of the racing team is still open. Possibly that of Sauber, definitely in connection with a new major sponsor that has yet to be found.
What the new ownership structure will look like is not yet known
For Sauber, Audi’s engagement means the opportunity to finally move up from the midfield. Before the Mexican Grand Prix at the weekend, the team has to tremble for sixth place in the current Constructors’ Championship. In the long term, Audi can only claim the world title. The new regulations offer the best springboard for making it faster than the usual five years that it takes at least.
On the road in Alfa Romeo livery until the end of next season: the Finn Valtteri Bottas (here at the US GP on October 22nd).
As a new manufacturer, the company can initially spend 25 million dollars more annually than the budget cap allows for the brands already represented in Formula 1. The massive investments are also urgently needed for newcomers.
The financial security provided by the Volkswagen Group will probably persuade Finn Rausing, the Swedish owner of Sauber Motorsport, to give up the majority stake in the group of companies. It is not yet known exactly what the new ownership structure will look like – only that Audi has tied its commitment to a participation. It is rumored in the industry that the purchase could happen gradually and in the end 25 percent would remain with Rausing.
The 68-year-old had always spoken out in favor of retaining Switzerland as a business location and did not want the racing team, which he saved from over-indebtedness six years ago, to become a pawn for investors. That’s why a deal with the American team owner Michael Andretti fell through almost exactly a year ago. It was also a question of price, at that time $ 350 million was said to have been offered. In the booming premier class, racing teams are rated up to three times as high today.
It’s a win-win situation
Finn Rausing, co-owner of the global company Tetrapak, rarely comments on his involvement in Formula 1. In this case, however, he is happy to return the compliments that come from Ingolstadt: “Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group. It is clear that both companies have the same values and the same vision.» Before the talks with Sauber, Audi had planned to cooperate with the McLaren racing team, but the British still wanted to be in charge – also an indicator of who will be in charge in Hinwil in the future.
It’s a win-win situation when we succeed in networking corporate cultures better than in the past. It will also be decisive who will lead the overall structure after dual leadership in Formula 1 has not proven itself. The previous team boss Frédéric Vasseur had already had this bad experience during his time at Renault. The 54-year-old motorsport expert has high expectations of the restart, which has already begun to clarify structural issues.
Frédéric Vasseur, Alfa Romeo Team Principal: “This is an important step for our team on the way to the top of the grid.”
The Frenchman has no illusions about the pressure, but for him too the opportunity outweighs it: “This is an important step for our team on the way to the top of the starting grid. Becoming Audi’s official works team is the best option for the future.” Audi’s commitment is an upgrade and relief for Formula 1 as a whole, after the planned partnership between Porsche and Red Bull collapsed at the last minute following a power struggle a few weeks ago.
For Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, who laid the foundation for the project that has now been decided during his time at Audi, the Sauber-Audi combination is a “very exciting perspective” and proof of the strong dynamics of the racing series.