Audi F1. Copyright Audi

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner says that Audi AG and Volkswagen AG have decided to strengthen their commitment to Formula One (F1) and accelerate their preparations for the start of the 2026 season, with Audi planning to take a 100% stake in the Sauber Group.

Oliver Hoffmann (pictured), who currently heads Audi’s Technical Development division, will be responsible for implementing the company’s F1 commitment and ‘uniting all three pillars of the F1 programme’ — namely: the stake in the Swiss racing team; development of the power unit by Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Neuburg site in Germany; and the ‘strategic steering and activation of the programme’ by Audi AG. Mr Hoffmann will also become chairman of all Sauber companies.

Mr Döllner will take charge of the Technical Development division in addition to his existing responsibilities, while Andreas Seidl (CEO of Sauber Motorsport) will be CEO of the Audi F1 Team and in charge of the implementation of the Audi F1 project as well as the Audi F1 Team. He will also be the ‘face of the future Audi Formula 1 Team’.

Manfred Döss, chairman of the supervisory board of Aufo AG, said: “The entry into F1 is not only the pinnacle of Audi’s very successful history in motorsport, but also as big a sporting challenge as it is a financial commitment. Through the bundling of Oliver Hoffmann’s responsibilities and the complete takeover of the Sauber Group, we are accelerating our preparations for the 2026 season.”

Mr Hoffmann said: “Motorsport, particularly F1, is my big passion. I am convinced that by bundling responsibilities and taking over 100% of Sauber Group, we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026. I am pleased we were able to secure the services of Andreas Seidl as Audi F1 Team CEO. He is exactly the right man for our ambitious plan.”

Born in Passau, Germany, Mr Seidl began his motorsport career in BMW’s F1 programme; he was also director of race operations during his time there. As team principal he achieved multiple world championships and three overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 2019 to 2022, Mr Seidl was team principal of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, before taking over as CEO of Sauber Group in 2023.