Earlier this year Audi announced that it would enter the world of Formula 1 as an engine supplier. Of course, that left the question: which team would they be supplying engines to? Today that question has been answered as Audi partners with Sauber. Naturally, this means that the current Sauber Alfa Romeo partnership will dissolve.

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New Branding

Sauber is no stranger to taking on partners in F1. The outfit’s racecars were once powered by Mercedes engines. The team was also known as Sauber BMW for a spell. Most recently Sauber was a partner to Alfa Romeo. Now the Swiss based outfit will become the Audi factory team from 2026 onwards.

Audi’s Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg an der Donau will be responsible for the creation of the new power units. Sauber will develop and manufacture the racecar at its site in Hinwil (Switzerland). Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations.

This will not be te first motorsport collaboration between the two companies. Audi Sport has already regularly used the Sauber Group’s wind tunnel in Hinwil during the successful Le Mans era and for the development of the Class 1 touring car for the DTM.

“We are delighted to have gained such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” says Oliver Hoffmann, member of the board for technical development at Audi AG. “We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art facility and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team.” 

New Engines

Audi’s power unit preparation is already in full swing. Development is taking place at a facility of the specially founded Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg an der Donau. More than 120 employees are already working on the project. “Sauber is a first-class partner for the use of the Audi Power Unit,” says Adam Baker, managing director of the company. “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.”