Since announcing its entrance to Formula 1, speculation remains over who will drive for Audi in 2026.
Audi has already confirmed that it will enter the sport in 2026 as both an engine manufacturer and a works outfit courtesy of a strategic collaboration with Sauber in time for the new regulation cycle.
Recently, Swiss outlet Blick reported that Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had been pinpointed as Audi’s top target for the project. Sainz later dismissed these links as “uncorroborated and invented rumours”.
But now, compatriot Fernando Alonso is in the spotlight amid links to a drive for the German marque following comments made by the Sauber Group’s managing director Alunni Bravi.
“I would always sign Fernando, even at 45 years or more,” Bravi told the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
“I was able to get to know him well at McLaren, when I was the manager of Stoffel Vandoorne, who was his team-mate. I was able to see first-hand the work he can do on a day-to-day basis as a driver, his ability, his great determination.
“He is a champion. You don’t win two F1 World titles if you don’t have certain characteristics. It’s a pleasure for me to see him.”
Bravi made clear that under the teams current guise of Alfa Romeo, he is “happy with out drivers” but admitted he “cannot hide that Fernando is one of the top drivers in F1 and that has to be recognised.”
It may be difficult for Sauber to pry Alonso away from Aston Martin following the Spaniard’s success with the British marque so far in his maiden season with the team.
Alonso has finished on the podium in five of the opening seven races in 2023, and has already expressed his desire to continue with the team for several years to come.
Alfa Romeo currently has a strong pairing in Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou with Formula 2 driver Theo Pourchaire awaiting a callup to the top tier.
Despite Sainz dismissing the rumours linking him to a 2026 drive for Audi, Bravi was still questioned on the possibility of bringing Sainz into the fold once his Ferrari contract expires at the end of the 2024 season.
“We are satisfied with our current driver pairing and our aim is to give them competitive material,” Bravi said.
“Obviously I think Carlos Sainz is one of the best drivers currently in F1. He drives for Ferrari and I think he is happy at Ferrari. And we have to think about our drivers and give them all the tools to do a good job.”
