Audi will staff up with Sauber for F1 entry beginning in 2026

HINWIL, Switzerland — German producer Audi has chosen Method One staff Sauber as its manufacturing facility works staff when it enters the racing collection in 2026.

Sauber mentioned in a press release on Wednesday that Audi additionally plans to amass a stake within the Sauber Group, though no monetary particulars on the shareholding or the timing of it got.

It was not instantly clear if Audi will run its personal staff or solely provide engines to Switzerland-based Sauber.

“To change into Audi’s official works staff is just not solely an honor and an ideal duty,” Sauber F1 staff principal Frederic Vasseur mentioned. “It’s the best choice for the long run and we’re absolutely assured we may also help Audi obtain the targets they’ve set for his or her journey in Method One.”

Sauber’s title sponsorship with Alfa Romeo finishes on the finish of subsequent 12 months. The staff is in sixth place within the 10-team constructors’ championship, however is just one level forward of Aston Martin with three races left this season.

Audi introduced in August that it was getting into F1 as an influence unit provider in 2026 in keeping with new engine rules, and was broadly anticipated to staff up with Sauber.

Sauber will proceed to make use of Ferrari engines till 2025.

Audi will then manufacture its personal energy unit in an period when there will probably be a better emphasis on sustainable fuels and an elevated electrical element in engines.

From 2026, the electrical energy output for the facility models, consisting of an electrical motor, battery, management electronics, and a combustion engine, will enhance.

The electrical motor will then be almost as highly effective because the combustion engine and the extremely environment friendly 1.6-liter turbo engines will run on superior sustainable gasoline, which Audi says was a prerequisite for entry into the collection.

“Audi is the perfect strategic accomplice for the Sauber Group,” Sauber chairman Finn Rausing mentioned. “It’s clear that we share values and a imaginative and prescient, and we stay up for attaining our frequent objectives in a robust and profitable partnership.”

F1 president Stefano Domenicali mentioned Audi’s partnership with Sauber is additional proof of how the collection is changing into extra enticing.

“The mix of these two names is a really thrilling prospect for our sport,” Domenicali mentioned. “It highlights the sturdy momentum that Method 1 has and the assumption in our technique to additional develop and improve the game whereas delivering on our sustainability plans to be web zero carbon by 2030 with superior sustainable fuels within the automobiles in 2026.”

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