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Audi selects Sauber as its partner as first F1 test planned for 2025

Audi, Sauber, F1

Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG (right), and Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development of AUDI AG

Audi Motorsport has announced Sauber as its partner to enter F1 from the 2026 season as together they will run as a factory outfit.

Having announced its entry in F1 from the 2026 season with brand new power units, Audi has confirmed its next step by selecting Sauber Group as its strategic partner for the project. In fact, they plan to acquire a stake in the racing company.

Together Audi and Sauber will run as a factory team from 2026 onward. The power unit production and development will be based at  will be created at Neuburg an der Donau, while the race car will be built in Hinwil with the Swiss company to run operations too.

Audi notes that 120 employees are already working on the power unit with the Neuburg facility is undergoing expansion in all spheres to accommodate and reach F1 level of work. The infrastructure at the German manufacturer’s site should be ready by 2023.

They are also planning to run the power unit in a F1 car in 2025 before the official debut in 2026. Until then, Sauber will use the Ferrari power units until the 2025 season, but it remains to be seen of it runs as ‘Sauber’ for the brief years when Alfa Romeo leaves.