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Qatar “aims to take over Audi F1 team” ahead of entry in 2026

Posted on by Lucas
Qatar “aims to take over Audi F1 team” ahead of entry in 2026

Audi reportedly wants to sell a minority stake in its F1 team to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.

The German car brand, which is part of the Volkswagen AG Group, will buy 100% of the current Sauber factory team in time for the new engine and chassis regulations in 2026.

But the current economic situation at Volkswagen, with speculation about plant closures and the loss of up to 30,000 jobs, is giving rise to rumors that the group is starting to look elsewhere for investments.

A report from Autosport said industry insiders believe it would be difficult for Audi to justify a costly Formula 1 development program given the parent company’s economic problems.

When approaching The Independent Commenting on the matter, a Sauber representative said: “As always under these circumstances, we do not comment on speculation.”

In September, Audi boss Gernot Dollner emphasized that the brand’s entry into Formula 1 was a “perfect fit.”

“The decision was well prepared two and a half years ago and reassessed last year,” he said at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

“We firmly believe that F1 and Audi are a perfect fit. It is in line with our strategy and while it is ambitious and will take time, it also fits perfectly with the way we are reinventing ourselves on the business side.”

The Autosport report adds that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is prepared to spend up to 828 million pounds (1 billion euros) if the project’s conditions are right.

Qatar Airways is one of the main sponsors of Formula 1

Qatar Airways is one of the main sponsors of Formula 1 (Getty Images for Qatar Airways)

State airline Qatar Airways is already a major sponsor of the Formula One World Championship, while the Gulf country hosted a grand prix for the first time in 2021 and signed a 10-year deal last year. In addition, QIA holds a 17% stake in Volkswagen AG.

Meanwhile, Sauber has had a hot season on the racetrack. They remain the only team without a point after 21 rounds as both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu confirmed they will be eliminated at the end of the season.

Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg and current F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will drive for Sauber in 2025, with former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto now in charge of the Audi project as chief operating officer.

Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will also join as team boss next year.