The gas state will take shares in the Audi team which will make its debut on the grid in 2026.
Qatar will take a stake in the future Audi Formula 1 team, which will arrive in the paddock in 2026 after finalizing the takeover of Sauber, the German manufacturer said on Friday on the sidelines of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Qatar, via its sovereign investment fund (QIA), will take a “significant minority interest” within the future German team, thus becoming “a long-term investor and partner”explains Audi in a press release.
“QIA’s investment will provide a substantial capital injection, help build the team and pave the way for improved infrastructure to lead the team to success in F1.”adds the mark to the four rings.
Audi continues to prepare for its arrival in the F1 paddock in 2026, four months after appointing the Italian Mattia Binotto, former boss of Ferrari, at the head of its project.
The Sauber team, the only one not to have scored any points this season in the Formula 1 world championship, will already turn an important page in 2025 with the arrival of two new drivers, the experienced German Nico Hülkenberg and the Brazilian novice Gabriel Bortoleto, while Briton Jonathan Wheatley will become team principal in July, six months after leaving Red Bull.
“QIA’s investment reflects the confidence that the Audi F1 project already inspires and underlines Audi’s unwavering commitment to this initiative. This additional capital will accelerate the team's growth and is another important step in our long-term strategy.declared Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi, present in the paddock in Qatar this weekend.
