photo: Audi AG
There’ve been a lot of rumors swirling around Audi and its commitment to entering F1 in 2026. Though the Ingolstadt acquired the Sauber F1 team and has embarked on a major buildout of its German infrastructure including engine development, that hasn’t stopped F1-covering news platforms to share whispers of Porsche and even Toyota taking over the team in what has been suggested as a cost-cutting maneuver for Audi. However, this week in an interview with German publication Handelsblatt, Audi’s new CEO Gernot Döllner revealed Audi is committed to the project.
“There is a clear decision from the Executive Board, the supervisory boards of Audi and Volkswagen that Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026,” said Döllner in the story. “The plan is in place.”
That’s good news for Audi fans who would hate to see a project that has come at so high a cost to other motorsport efforts come to a close before it begins. As some may recall, Audi ceased development of its GTP/Hypercar entry for the FIA-WEC, IMSA and Le Mans that was being co-developed with Multimatic and Porsche. Gearing up for F1 has also seen a ratcheting down at Audi Sport customer racing and unconfirmed rumors that the Dakar program may also end after 2024. So, while the sun hasn’t fully set on customer racing or Dakar, there’s no question that F1 is a massive, massive investment.
We know that Sauber will be cutting its ties with Alfa Romeo as that contract comes to a close ahead of the 2024 season. At this time, Audi Sport is expected to be fully branded on (and powering) the Sauber F1 cars beginning in 2026.
