Audi Selects Sauber to Turn into Manufacturing unit F1 Workforce in 2026

Close to the tip of August, in the course of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Audi confirmed that it might be getting into the FIA System 1 World Championship as an influence unit provider for the 2026 season and past. Although, the German automaker didn’t affirm which vehicles could be fitted with its 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid engines. Nevertheless, the worst-kept secret within the System 1 paddock was the identification of the group in negotiations with Audi.

Audi has now confirmed that it has chosen Sauber as a strategic companion for its F1 program, and the German producer will purchase a stake within the Swiss-based group. Sauber is at present competing in System 1 because the Alfa Romeo F1 Workforce. The group’s partnership with Alfa Romeo will finish after the 2023 season, and Sauber will proceed to make use of Ferrari energy items till the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Audi will produce its 2026 energy unit at its Motorsport Competence Heart in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany whereas Sauber will proceed to develop and manufacture its System 1 vehicles at its services in Hinwil, Switzerland. Over 120 workers in Neuburg are already creating Audi’s energy unit. The intention is to have a completed product testing in a automobile by 2025.

Sauber CEO and Workforce Principal Fred Vasseur stated:

“The partnership between Audi AG and Sauber Motorsport is a key step for our group as we proceed to make progress in the direction of the entrance of the grid. To develop into Audi’s official works group is just not solely an honour and a terrific duty: it’s the best choice for the longer term and we’re absolutely assured we may help Audi obtain the goals they’ve set for his or her journey in System 1.”

The 2026 System 1 season could also be simply over three years away, however the efforts made now will decide how aggressive Audi is out of the gate. Proper now, Audi has the posh of being solely devoted to creating an influence unit as Sauber races with Ferrari energy items whereas the opposite producers must steadiness improvement with energetic competitors.