According to team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Audi has a strong commitment to Formula One but has maintained a low profile due to its future partner Sauber’s current relationship with Alfa Romeo. Last year, Audi acquired a minority stake in the Sauber Group, who are currently competing as the Alfa Romeo team with Ferrari engines. Sauber is expected to become Audi’s factory team starting from 2026, although recent reports in Germany suggest that Audi is reevaluating its plans. The initial impetus for the partnership came from former Audi boss Markus Duesmann, who was replaced by Gernot Doellner in September.
During the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Alunni Bravi emphasized that Audi’s commitment to Formula One extends beyond just the board of Audi and includes the advisory board and the supervisory board of Audi/Volkswagen. However, he explained the lack of communication surrounding the partnership by stating that Sauber is currently known as the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake and they have limitations in terms of making announcements or discussing future involvement of Audi until the end of the year. He expressed their respect for Alfa Romeo and their decision to keep communications strictly related to the race and championship.
Alunni Bravi also mentioned that Sauber is actively working on strengthening their team structure and is making new appointments on a weekly basis. Notably, James Key has returned from McLaren in September to assume the role of technical director. Additionally, Audi is developing its own Formula One power unit at a facility located in Neuburg an der Donau, near their headquarters in Ingolstadt.
Alunni Bravi clarified that Audi’s involvement is not limited to financing the team or supporting the development process. They have a governance plan in place, which aligns with the different stages of the transaction and will be completed by the 2026 season. As a result, they are proceeding with their investment plan in accordance with the established governance.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
