F1 News: Sauber Gives Branding Update For 2024 As Alfa Romeo Exit Looms - "Based On The Heritage"
Sauber revealed that Audi will have zero presence on its rebranded Formula 1 car for 2024 but confirmed that the Audi works team plan for 2026 is well on course when the new regulations kick in.
Last year, Sauber revealed that it would officially become the Audi works team in 2026. With the current title sponsorship with Alfa Romeo ending this year, the team will have a new naming partner, and is expected to switch to the Sauber brand for 2024 as a part of its long-term project.
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Given the chance of Audi appearing on the branding much earlier, the Hinwil-based squad has confirmed that the German manufacturer will not have any public presence on its cars until 2026.
When asked about the possibility of Audi branding appearing on the cars before its official entry in 2026, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi told Motorsport.com
"No. Audi will enter in 2026.
"Commercially speaking, it is important to have a big bang in 2026, not to dilute the Audi involvement with the team. So, we will continue as Sauber, based on the heritage of the group."
Sauber is due to announce a new title sponsor and its official team name next month, as it parts away from its partnership with Alfa Romeo. Alunni Bravi added:
"We already planned the next step. And of course, we signed that title partner already at the beginning of 2022 for the next two seasons.
"The FIA will publish the entry list of 2024 around the 10th of December, and we will also communicate at that time, not before, who will be the team name for the next two seasons and the title partners for our team.
"We have everything clear for the next two seasons. And I want to reiterate they are not two transition years. They are two years that are part of a long-term project that needs to bring the team to the next level."
