Sauber has confirmed Audi’s commitment to its Formula 1 programme amid rumors that the German manufacturer has had a change of heart and is about to pull the plug on its plans.
Audi announced last year at the Belgian Grand Prix its intention to join the grid in 2026, when Formula 1 introduced a new technical regulation.
Since, the Ingolstadt firm has acquired a stake in Sauber Motorsport, its strategic partner for its F1 endeavor, and is set to increase its holding to at least 75% by 2026.
Furthermore, the company has expanded its facility in Neuburg that houses its F1 engine department.
It also announced back in April that its engineers had developped and tested a single-cylinder engine, with its first full hybrid drivetrain unit, consisting of the combustion engine, electric motor, battery and electronic control unit scheduled to run on the test bench at Neuburg before the end of this year.
Since however, little information has filtered on Audi’s progress or efforts which has led to speculation and to reports in the German media that the manufacturer was considering abandoning its F1 plans.
But Alfa Romeo/Sauber team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has stepped forward to deny the swirling rumors but also to justify Sauber’s muted communication relative to its future F1 programme with Audi.
“Audi has a strong commitment to Formula 1 and, of course together with Sauber, this commitment comes from a decision not only of the board of Audi but also the advisory board of Audi and the Supervisory Board of Audi/Volkswagen,” the Italian explained.
“So, it's a group decision and the commitment is there.
“Why there is a lack of communication is simple. We are Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake. So, until the end of the year, we have certain limitations in communicating about the team, about the future, about the involvement of Audi, and we fully respect Alfa Romeo for this.
“We don't want to make any kind of announcement or more than what is strictly related to the race and the championship. The commitment, as I said, is there.”
Bravi ensures that Audi and Sauber are moving forward in phase with their partnership’s plans and procedures.
“We are working hard to develop the structure of the team,” he said. “We have a strong recruitment plan in place. James Key [new technical director] is one, but we have on a weekly basis new appointments.
“It's not a matter of the involvement of Audi in financing the team or sustaining this development process.
“We have two owners, you know, two shareholders. There is a governance in place according to the different stages of the transaction that will be completed ahead of the 2026 season.
“We are proceeding with the investment plan, with everything, in accordance with the governance that has been agreed.”
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