Audi will enter Components One in 2026 because the associate of the Sauber workforce, which at the moment races as Alfa Romeo.
In August, Audi confirmed it might be becoming a member of F1 as an engine constructor when it introduces new rules, however didn’t affirm which workforce that might be with.
On Wednesday it was introduced as has been anticipated for some time, the German producer will work with Sauber’s workforce. Alfa Romeo not too long ago confirmed its partnership with the workforce will finish after 2025.
The information makes a seat with Sauber in 2026 an unbelievable engaging possibility for any driver, with Audi hoping to be instantly aggressive — the corporate feels F1’s new engine rules present it with a chance to enter the game on extra equal phrases with F1’s current producers.
Sauber’s information announcement mentioned: “This partnership will deliver the workforce to new heights, guaranteeing on the identical time the long-term way forward for the corporate – an entity that boasts a dedicated workforce, one in every of Europe’s main wind tunnels and world-class motorsport manufacturing amenities.”
The mission might be based mostly at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg, Germany, close to the corporate’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, the place Audi has already arrange take a look at benches for F1 engines.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali mentioned Audi’s arrival is a vital second for the game.
“It’s nice information to listen to that Audi could have a partnership with Sauber for his or her entry into Components 1 in 2026,” he mentioned. “The mixture of these two names is a really thrilling prospect for our sport. It highlights the sturdy momentum that Components 1 has and the idea 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 vehicles in 2026.
“We stay up for seeing their progress over the approaching years and the automotive on the grid for the workforce’s first race.”
For just a few months it appeared seemingly Audi’s sister firm Porsche, which can be a part of the Volkswagen Group, can be becoming a member of F1.
Porsche had been hoping to buy 50 % of Purple Bull Applied sciences however, in early September, talks between Purple Bull and Porsche broke down.
Purple Bull had been unwilling to surrender management of its race workforce and had as an alternative provided Porsche the possibility to spend money on its new powertrains division, which handles its F1 engine manufacturing.
It stays unclear whether or not Porsche will search to enter the game with one other workforce for 2026, though the need is clearly there.