Audi plans to enter Formula 1 in 2026, and we have repeatedly cited different versions of what kind of alliance with which of the existing teams it can do this. The Swiss newspaper Blick assures in another publication on the subject (posted on the front page by the way) that the main negotiation process that took place behind the scenes between the company from Ingolstadt and Sauber is already over and the parties have reached an agreement in principle.
Two premium divisions of the German concern Volkswagen Group, Porsche and Audi, are preparing to enter Formula 1 as power plant suppliers, but concrete statements from them have not yet been made, although it is believed that the wait will not be long. As soon as the FIA definitively approves the technical regulations for the new generation of engines, such statements will be made.
According to Blick, the collaboration between Porsche and Red Bull is expected to be announced during the days of the Austrian Grand Prix, which is scheduled for July 10.
As for Audi, there were several rumors and four versions that the German company was in negotiations with Williams, Aston Martin, McLaren and Sauber, which has been playing in Formula 1 as Alfa Romeo since 2019. But McLaren quickly fell out of the contenders, as the owners and executives did not want to give up majority ownership.
Apparently there were no problems with Sauber in this regard. A Swiss tabloid quotes an unnamed F1 team boss: “I don’t understand why Sauber and Audi are still hiding their partnership. Audi has long acquired a 25% stake and plans to buy another 50%. This is a very big investment!”
However, Frederic Wasser, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG, is not ready to comment on such assumptions, preferring to avoid a direct question about the prospects for a merger with Audi: “From my point of view, Williams should become the favorite They have a good relationship with VW and with Germany.”
However, there is no denying that: Audi has long been using the Sauber wind tunnel in Hinwil in the development of their sports cars, so parties are actively collaborating. It has yet to be assumed that the official confirmation of the German-Swiss alliance is only a matter of time.
Source: F1 News
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