Audi confirms its intentions in F1, with the total buyout of Sauber
On January 30, 2023, Audi announced that it was taking a stake in the Swiss company. The second step, one year later, is well underway as Audi has just announced its intention to acquire 100% of Sauber's capital. If there were any doubts about the group's involvement in Formula 1, they are now dispelled.
According to the information available to us, Sauber did not want to be entirely owned by Audi and preferred to leave some room for maneuver. In the end, Audi will indeed buy the Swiss company entirely before its arrival in F1 and will own 100% of Sauber’s capital.
Explanations about Gernot Döllner’s lack of interest in F1 could cast doubt on the board’s decision to ultimately continue to buy Sauber and enter Formula 1 as promised in 2026. Indeed, it was the former management that had taken the lead in F1. This did not seem to be in line with the new management. However, Audi had wanted to reassure a few weeks ago, and today’s announcement of the complete takeover of Sauber is proof of that.
Directed by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the brand with the four rings has clearly defined what the company will focus on in the future with the Audi Agenda. Products and technology as well as the stronger positioning of the Audi brand on the global stage are at the heart of concerns. In this context, the supervisory board members of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG have decided to strengthen their commitment to Formula 1 and accelerate preparations for the start of the 2026 season,” explains the Audi press release.
« Audi plans to take a 100% stake in the Sauber group. » does he confirm this?
The people appointed under the responsibilities of the F1 program will indeed be Oliver Hoffmann, who will be the link between the F1 team and management, and Andreas Seidl, who oversees the F1 program of the brand and thus the team.
« Oliver Hoffmann will be the person responsible for the Audi Formula 1 program as the general representative. As CEO of the Audi F1 team, Andreas Seidl will be responsible for implementing the F1 project as well as managing the Audi F1 team.
« Oliver Hoffmann, currently at the helm of the Technical Development division, will be appointed general representative by the board of directors and will therefore be responsible for implementing AUDI AG’s commitment to Formula 1 and its entry into the highest level of motorsport. The newly created position will bring together the three pillars of the Formula 1 program: participation in the renowned Swiss racing team, the development of the powertrain by Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Neuburg site, as well as the strategic direction and activation of the program by AUDI AG. In addition to the successful launch of the Formula 1 program, this consolidation also aims to strengthen the Audi brand on the global stage and ensure close collaboration between motorsport and series production. »
If the initial approach therefore corresponded to a minority stake acquisition in Sauber’s capital, it is now at 100% that the Swiss company will be owned by the German group.
In this context, Audi plans to acquire 100% of Sauber Holding AG. A corresponding agreement has been reached with the current major shareholder, Islero Investments AG, who fully supports the change. In addition to chairing the shareholders’ committee of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, Oliver Hoffmann will become chairman of the board of all Sauber companies.
In the context of this, Oliver Hoffmann resigns as a member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. Audi’s CEO, Gernot Döllner, will take over the Technical Development division in addition to his current responsibilities. He will continue the ongoing transformation of Technical Development. In addition to reducing development times, the focus is mainly on more efficient structures and clear areas of responsibility in order to prioritize products and technologies as prescribed by the Audi Agenda.
In preparation for its entry into the Formula 1 World Championship in 2026, Audi is fulfilling another key role. As CEO of the Audi F1 team, Andreas Seidl will be responsible for the implementation of the Audi F1 project as well as the Audi F1 team. He will also be the face of the future Audi Formula 1 team.
Manfred Döss, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, expressed himself in the press release: The entry into Formula 1 is not only the culmination of Audi’s very successful history in motorsports, but also a sporting challenge as great as it is a financial commitment. Thanks to the consolidation of responsibilities of Oliver Hoffmann and the complete takeover of the Sauber group, we are accelerating our preparations for the 2026 season.
On his side, it is therefore Andreas Seidl, current director of Stake Sauber in the F1 championship, who will take over the management of Audi in 2026, thus ensuring continuity with the current structure.
I thank Gernot Döllner and Oliver Hoffmann for their trust and I am delighted to lead Audi in Formula 1 with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 team. We have a clear roadmap to become competitive in Hinwil and Neuburg. We have ambitious goals. Their achievement is underway and will be further accelerated by the full takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG.
Originally from Passau in Germany, Andreas Seidl began his career in motorsport within BMW’s Formula 1 program, where he held the position of race operations director. As a team principal, he has won several world championships and achieved three overall victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Between 2019 and 2022, Seidl led the McLaren Formula 1 team before becoming the head of the Sauber group in 2023.
