As of: March 7, 2024, 7:21 a.m
By: Stefan Schmid
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Audi is said to have already bought all of Sauber's shares.
This means that nothing stands in the way of starting Formula 1.
Staff has already been installed.
Hinwil/Ingolstadt – Mercedes is currently the only German team involved in Formula 1.
For the 2026 season, Audi will probably also fly the German flag in the premier class of motorsport.
According to reports, the VW subsidiary has now taken over all shares in Sauber and will relocate part of the production to Germany.
Last doubts dispelled: Audi will probably get all of Sauber's shares
The entry had actually been decided long ago, but rumors kept coming up about a withdrawal.
But now Audi got down to business.
As
Bild
reports, the German company has taken over the “full shares” in the Swiss racing team Sauber.
If it were true that Audi actually now holds 100 percent of Sauber's shares, it would be a bit of a surprise.
It was always said that they wanted to take over the majority of the racing team, but secretly there was usually only talk of 75 percent.
Since the beginning of 2023, Audi has been a strategic partner with a stake of at least 25 percent.
By the 2026 season, the Sauber cars will be a thing of the past.
Audi will then probably enter the racing series.
© IMAGO / Beautiful Sports
Audi installs Hoffmann on the board of directors
An indication that the acquisition of a majority has been pursued with vigor in recent weeks is a change in the board of directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
As can be seen from a report by
Motorsport Total
, Audi board member Oliver Hoffmann has been appointed to the board of directors.
An extract from the commercial register office of the canton of Zurich is available as evidence.
It was Hoffmann who assured the first rumors of withdrawal that Audi would continue to stick to the Formula 1 project.
Now it is up to the qualified engineer himself to drive forward the Ingolstadt-based company's successful entry into Formula 1.
Two new drivers will probably be sought for this, possibly even a female driver.
The German Carrie Schreiner recently moved to Sauber's junior team.
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Engines from Bavaria, headquarters in Switzerland
Although all of the shares are now in Audi's hands, the racing team will not be renamed until the 2026 season as planned.
The German car manufacturer will then also take over Sauber's infrastructure.
The factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, will then also be used as Audi's headquarters for its Formula 1 business.
While a large part of the production will remain in Switzerland, when it comes to the engine, local engineering is being relied upon.
Employees in Neuburg an der Donau, Bavaria, are already working hard on a drive unit suitable for Formula 1.
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