Volkswagen AG has decided to bolster its Formula 1 intentions, announcing Friday that Audi plans to take a 100% stake in the Sauber operation as opposed to the originally planned 75% stake – Andreas Seidl named the public face of the operation.
The confirmation follows reports on Tuesday that Audi intended to step up its Formula 1 commitments ahead of its 2026 entry.
Seidl, the current Sauber CEO now named Audi F1 CEO, is charged with implementing the Audi F1 project as its public face.
Meanwhile, Oliver Hoffmann, as previously touted will take on an overseeing role of the entire Audi F1 operation which includes the Hinwill-base operated by Sauber, the development of the Audi power unit in Neuburg and the strategic direction of the project.
Hoffmann’s role will see him named General Representative of the Audi F1 project, plus “chairing the shareholder committee of Audi Formula Racing GmbH” and becoming “Chairman of the Board of Directors of all Sauber companies”
As a result, Hoffmann will step aside from his Technical Development role on the Audi Board of Management, with those duties being absorbed by CEO Gernot Döllner.
Manfred Döss, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG said, “The entry into Formula 1 is not only the pinnacle of Audi’s very successful history in motorsport, but also as big a sporting challenge as it is a financial commitment.
“Through the bundling of Oliver Hoffmann’s responsibilities and the complete takeover of the Sauber Group, we are accelerating our preparations for the 2026 season.”
“Audi must remain technologically flexible, able to take action, and future-proof,” added Jörg Schlagbauer, Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG.
“To this end, we need a clear course. ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ must be our aspiration. This has now been made management’s top priority. I am therefore looking forward to cooperating even more intensively with Gernot Döllner. All Audi employees’ thanks go to Oliver Hoffmann for his work. We wish him and the four rings much success in the premier class of motorsport.”
“Motorsport, particularly Formula 1, is my big passion,” said Hoffmann.
“I am convinced that by bundling responsibilities and taking over 100 percent of Sauber Group, we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026.
“I am pleased we were able to secure the services of Andreas Seidl as Audi F1 Team CEO. He is exactly the right man for our ambitious plan. Thanks to his broad experience from leadership roles on the manufacturer and Formula 1 team side, he will make a significant contribution to Audi’s Formula 1 project.”
Seidl added, “I thank Gernot Döllner and Oliver Hoffmann for their trust and am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula 1 together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team.
“We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg. We have ambitious goals.
“Realization of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG.”
Audi initially acquired 25% of Sauber ahead of the 2023 season and the German marque was expected to ramp this up to a three-quarter stake in the Swiss-based F1 team.
Now, Audi’s intention to complete a full takeover signifies a stronger determination to make its F1 works team a success.
