In 2026, Audi will make its F1 debut as powertrain supplier to the Sauber team. The German company wants to focus all its efforts and financial resources on this project, so it was decided to stop all other racing programs, including participation in the DTM, Dakar and GT races.
Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport, confirmed that the decision has been made by the Audi Board of Directors and that all teams, drivers and partners have already been informed about it. Initially, the decision to close all non-Formula 1 racing programs was promoted by Audi’s chairman of the board of directors, Markus Duismann, who will leave his position in September.
The Audi Dakar project will be completed in 2024 and the homologation of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 will be extended to allow privateer teams to race the car.
“We have made a clear decision to focus on preparing for Formula 1 in 2026, therefore unfortunately we will not be able to provide financial support to other factory teams from 2024 onwards,” said Rolf Michl. “We will do everything we can to keep our current cars racing, but from 2024 we will no longer provide strategic support to the teams. Audi’s board of directors has taken this decision with a heavy heart.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
