Audi will take 100% management of Swiss-based Sauber forward of its transformation into the German carmaker’s manufacturing facility Formulation One group from 2026, the Volkswagen-owned model stated on Friday.

Oliver Hoffmann will step down from Audi’s administration board to take general accountability for the F1 programme whereas Andreas Seidl, already in place at Sauber’s base in Hinwil in Switzerland, will run the group.

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Audi CEO Gernot Doellner will take cost of the technical improvement division, beforehand headed by Hoffmann, along with his present duties.

Audi stated the supervisory boards of Volkswagen and Audi had voted for a whole takeover of the Sauber Group after settlement with present majority shareholder Islero Investments, linked to Swedish billionaire Finn Rausing.

The carmaker stated in January 2023 that it had taken a minority stake in Sauber, with out giving particulars.

Audi is making its personal F1 energy unit in Neuburg in Bavaria.

“The entry into Formulation One isn’t solely the top of Audi’s very profitable historical past in motorsport, but additionally as huge a sporting problem as it’s a monetary dedication,” stated Manfred Doess, chairman of Audi’s supervisory board.

“By means of the bundling of Oliver Hoffmann’s duties and the whole takeover of the Sauber Group, we’re accelerating our preparations for the 2026 season.”

Seidl, who was group principal at McLaren earlier than becoming a member of Sauber on the finish of 2022, stated: “We’ve a transparent roadmap for the way we wish to grow to be aggressive in Hinwil in addition to in Neuburg,”

“We’ve bold targets. Realization of them is in progress and will likely be additional accelerated by means of the whole takeover of Sauber by Audi AG.”

Final month, Sauber launched its new automobile and livery as a part of its rebranding underneath the title Stake.