The ambitions of QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) in Formula 1 are becoming clearer. The Qatari investment fund, already owner of Paris Saint-Germain, is in advanced negotiations for a significant entry into the capital of Audi's F1 program. A decision could even be announced in the coming days, according to media reports Motorsport.
This perspective comes in a particular context for Audi. Despite an initial investment of 650 million euros to acquire the entire Sauber team last March, the German manufacturer is going through a difficult period, marked by restructuring and job cuts. The financing of the F1 project, which is scheduled to launch in 2026, seems more complex than expected.
QSI is already a shareholder in the Volkswagen group
The arrival of QSI therefore appears to be a strategic opportunity. Qatar, which already owns 17% of the Volkswagen group, could strengthen its position in motorsport through a stake that remains to be defined. This could range from a minority investment to a majority position including the Neuburg-on-the-Danube factory, where the future engine is being developed.
On a sporting level, the team is already structured around Mattia Binotto as operations manager and Jonathan Wheatley as future team director. The driver duo Nico Hülkenberg-Gabriel Bortoleto is also confirmed for this future team which will still operate under the name Stake F1 in 2025.
