In 2026, Audi will make its F1 debut as powertrain supplier for the Sauber team, which now competes in the championship under the Alfa Romeo name. Preparations for 2026 are in full swing, but Sauber Group managing director Alessandro Alunni Bravi is already approaching the FIA and rivals to get the team to spend more money than budget limits allow.
Sauber-Audi wants to raise costs to invest in infrastructure development at the grassroots level and hire more employees. Without this, according to Alunni Bravi, the team cannot compete with the current leaders of Formula 1.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi: “Large teams have been able to invest in infrastructure without any restrictions for years. We, like other second-tier teams, would like to be able to spend extra money on the development of infrastructure and production.
We see more and more interest in us from employees of other teams. Audi’s entry into the team’s number of partners with the prospect of a full buyout after 2026 looks very attractive. That James Key from McLaren came to us is no coincidence.
However, the pay gap remains a problem that the FIA and Formula 1 will have to solve. The cost of a staff of 600 employees for a team based in Switzerland is equal to the cost of a staff of 900 employees for a team based in another team. country.
If they want to see a closer fight at the forefront in Formula 1, then it is necessary to create a financial system that guarantees equal conditions for everyone.
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.
