Amid speculation that it was getting cold feet, reports suggest Audi is set to conclude proceedings regarding its majority takeover of the Sauber Formula 1 operation.
Audi announced its F1 project in the summer of 2022 and later that year it emerged that Sauber was set to be the foundation of its works team from 2026.
The wheels were set into motion when Audi bought out a 25% stake in the Hinwil-based outfit ahead of the 2023 season.
Now, Motorsport-Total understands that Audi will complete its deal with Sauber owner Finn Rausing, originally understood to be 75% but reportedly could be a 100% takeover, according to Bloomberg and Bild.
As part of the takeover, Audi board member Oliver Hoffmann will assume the position of Sauber Director, with current CEO Andreas Seidl set to report to Hoffmann.
Hoffmann was one of the architects of the Audi F1 project but recent speculation hinted he could’ve been exiting stage left from the German auto empire after being saddled with the responsibility of dwindling car sales.
This fuelled discourse regarding Audi’s cold feet regarding F1, harking back to the departure of former CEO Markus Duesmann last year.
However, Audi and Sauber have both been unified in their joint commitment to the project since.
Current CEO Gernot Dollner said last December that, “There is a clear decision from the board of management and the supervisory boards of Audi and Volkswagen that Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026.”
Meanwhile, Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi recently told Motorsport.com that “The project is proceeding according to the timeline and the agreed governance between shareholders.”
The fresh development surrounding Audi’s impending takeover of Sauber suggests that Seidl met with team personnel in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to inform them that Audi’s acquisition of Sauber is entering its final phase.
In the interim period, Sauber operates under the guise of Stake F1 Team for the 2024 and ’25 seasons.
Audi, meanwhile, has stepped back from multiple motorsport projects ahead of its F1 arrival, including Formula E, factory-supported sportscar racing and most recently its Dakar off-road programme, despite winning the latest edition of the off-road enduro with Carlos Sainz Sr.
The German marque is currently developing an original power unit ahead of its 2026 debut and will undergo testing of the fledgling engine via test drives next year.
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