The 2024 F1 season is coming to an end, but plans have already begun for not only the 2025 season but also the 2026 season.
That season will bring big changes to the sport. Not only will F1 introduce a new set of technical regulations for the 2026 season, but the sport will now have 11 It will be expanded to teams. , will be taken over as works business.
Now there's more news on that front.
Sauber Holding AG, Audi's future F1 factory team, said on Friday that Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the state's sovereign wealth fund, has agreed to “acquire a significant minority stake” in Sauber Holding AG. Announced.
According to the announcement, QIA's investment “will provide a significant capital injection, paving the way for increased infrastructure and team strength, and positioning the team for long-term success in F1. , consistent with QIA's focus on long-term investments with “term growth potential.'' ”
This move is the latest positive decision announced by the future Audi F1 project. During the summer the team announced that former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto would join Audi F1 as both chief technical officer and chief operating officer. It was also announced that Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull's long-time sporting director, will join the team next year as team principal.
Audi has announced the driver duo for next season: veteran Nico Hulkenberg and young driver Gabriel Bortleto.
The project is currently backed by QIA and will, according to Audi CEO Gernot Dörner, “accelerate the growth of the team”, leading to more jobs and infrastructure improvements.
“QIA's investment reflects the trust and confidence that the Audi F1 project has already earned and underlines Audi's unwavering commitment to this initiative,” said Dörner. “This additional capital will accelerate the growth of our team and is another milestone in our long-term strategy. With QIA’s involvement, we will continue to build on our dedication at both our Hinwil and Neuburg facilities in preparation for our entry into Audi in 2026. will be further activated.”
QIA CEO Mohamed Al Sowaidi cited the “growing global popularity of F1” as the reason.
“Audi has been chosen as a premium partner with a rich motorsport heritage. As a long-time investor in the Volkswagen Group, we believe in Audi’s vision and direction as it enters F1. , our investment will support the realization of this goal,” said Al Sowaidi. “QIA believes that F1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The increasing commercialization of professional sport as entertainment around the world and the growing global popularity of F1 This makes this our first major motorsport investment a great opportunity.”
The team will compete for the final season as Sauber in 2025 before switching to Audi.
