Audi Confirms Historic F1 Works Deal with Sauber

• Audi plans to acquire a stake in Sauber Motorsport but the exact process behind the proposals has not yet been outlined.

• Sauber will continue to compete as Alfa Romeo in 2023.

• The team is expected to revert to its founding name, Sauber, for 2024 and 2025, remaining supplied by current power unit partner Ferrari.

Audi has confirmed that it will form a partnership with Sauber Motorsport when it enters Formula 1 from the 2026 season.

The automotive giant confirmed in August that it will construct a power unit for the new-for-2026 engine regulations introduced by Formula 1. It was widely expected that Audi would link up with Sauber, which currently competes under the Alfa Romeo moniker, and on Wednesday the alliance was officially revealed.

Audi plans to acquire a stake in Sauber Motorsport but the exact process behind the proposals has not yet been outlined. Sauber will continue to compete as Alfa Romeo in 2023 and is expected to revert to its founding name for 2024 and 2025, remaining supplied by current power unit partner Ferrari.

“Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group,” says Finn Rausing, chairman of Sauber. “It is clear that both companies share the same values and vision. We are looking forward to achieving our common goals with a strong and successful partnership.”

Development of Audi’s power unit at its facility in Neuberg an der Donau, Germany, is already underway, with about 120 employees working on the project. Expansion of the facility is underway and should be in place in 2023; Audi intends to test its power unit for the first time in 2025.

“Sauber is a first-class partner for the use of the Audi power unit,” says Adam Baker, managing director of Audi’s F1 project. “We are looking 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.”

Confirmation of Audi’s tie-up with Sauber comes amid uncertainty over whether sister brand Porsche will also become involved from 2026.

Porsche was in lengthy discussions with Red Bull over forming a partnership from 2026 but different factions within the respective companies had contrasting ambitions for the proposed project.

Red Bull was not willing to relinquish control of its race team whereas Porsche wanted a shared partnership, rather than simply to invest in engine company Red Bull Powertrains. Talks eventually broke down in early September.

The FIA outlined last week that Porsche remains interested in joining Formula 1 from 2026. However, Porsche does not yet have an engine facility—having planned to partner with RBP—meaning its options are limited.