By Formula Geek
Sauber announces reaching a major step in their transformation into Audi’s factory F1 team by 2026.
Audi confirmed its plans to enter F1 as power unit supplier at Belgian Grand Prix last year. In October, the company announced its partnership with Sauber to have its own team on the grid.
Despite operating as Alfa Romeo for the upcoming season, Audi has advanced its relationship with the Sauber Group by acquiring a minority ownership stake.
Sauber gave a statement on their website saying, “The Sauber Group announced their plans outlined in October last year with pleasure. Audi acquired a minority stake in the Sauber Group in January 2023. This is an important milestone on the way to Audi’s entry in Formula One. Scheduled for 2026, for which the Sauber Group will be the German brand’s strategic partner.”
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- Audi’s factory F1 team 2026
In 30 years of competing in Formula One, Sauber has achieved only one race win. It happened at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix when Robert Kubica drove for the team. At that time, it was racing under the BMW name. The victory was significant as it came just a year after Kubica’s severe crash at the same venue. Despite improvements in performance with Valtteri Bottas securing a fifth-place finish in a season, afterwards, the team has struggled to produce further victories since the partnership with Bottas ended. The most recent trophy won by Sauber was at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, when Sergio Perez placed second behind Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
