F1 News: Audi Provides Update On 2026 Formula One Entry
Audi has come forward with the latest update on its 2026 Formula 1 entry as a response to the rumors that have been doing the rounds, claiming that the German brand might cancel its acquisition of the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 team.
An official entry into Formula 1 is just two years away but, Audi has had to clear the air about their planned entry into the sport through a takeover of the Hinwil-based Sauber F1 team.
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Currently, the team is known by the name Alfa Romeo Sauber, but from 2024 it will revert to its Sauber name until being identified as Audi in 2026, marking the much-awaited arrival of the VW group into Formula 1.
Rumors appeared in the French media recently that Audi might abort the takeover of the Sauber F1 team. However, the company board has addressed the challenge in a recent meeting. A spokesperson for Audi denied the rumors when asked for a comment. He told PlanetF1.com:
“Audi‘s F1 entry in 2026 is based on a decision of the Board of AUDI AG in alignment with the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, as well as the Board and the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Group.
The schedule of Audi Formula Racing GmbH for the build-up of the organisation and the development of the 2026 F1 Power Unit at the site in Neuburg/Germany remains unchanged.”
Audi had taken necessary steps to cease their other racing operations by the end of the year like the LMDh project in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA, to divert and focus resources toward the F1 operation. 2020 also saw the brand's exit from the DTM.
Gearing up toward an F1 future, Audi held a Family Festival at their Neuberg facility to exhibit their F1 project. The gathering included board members, and the chief technical officer Oliver Hoffmann speaking to the employees. Also included were Audi’s F1 power unit division CEO Adam Baker, and managing directors Stefan Dreyer and Miriam Haubner who spoke on the plans for the F1 project.
