The Middle East about to have a stable?
Reporter Ralf Bach, speaking on the F1-Insider YouTube channel, reported that Audi may have sold a majority stake in the team to Qatari investors. In this case, it is QSI (Qatar Sports Investments), which is well known here for being the owner of PSG. The announcement of this agreement would take place during the Qatar Grand Prix, which will take place later this month. Other speculation, according to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, is that Qatar's sovereign wealth fund would take a minority stake in the Audi F1 team and could even offer it lucrative sponsorship opportunities.
For Bach, this is a big blow for F1 in Germany, because Audi's iconic four rings will now be nothing more than “make-up”. For him it would in fact be a Qatari team with a German badge.
A complicated project in the current socio-economic context
Whatever happens exactly, it is certain that the future of Audi in Formula 1 must be considered in the light of the group's serious difficulties. Volkswagen recently announced the unprecedented closure of three factories in Germany. Audi has already closed the Brussels site where the Q8 E-Tron electric SUV is assembled. Faced with massive job losses and the dizzying fall in profits, the continuation of the F1 project with completely internal financing from Audi seems difficult to maintain.
Audi finds itself facing a “terrible dilemma” after having advanced so far in its preparations. This investment agreement with Qatar would be a solution, allowing it to continue without drawing too much on VW's already limited resources. Audi will join Mercedes on the F1 grid, but the Silver Arrows are headquartered in Brackley and can be considered a British team.
To summarize
Audi's arrival in Formula 1 for 2026 remains a very tortuous path. Faced with the economic difficulties facing the Volkswagen group, Audi could bring Qatar into the team's capital. It remains to be seen in what proportions.
