Audi Rules Out Selling Its F1 Team: 'The Project Is Independent'

Audi has no intention of parting with its Formula 1 team. Gernot Döllner, CEO of the German brand, has responded to rumors of a possible share sale and made it clear that, at least for now, there is no need to go in that direction. In statements to Sport Bild, the executive assured that the economic problems the Volkswagen Group is facing do not change Audi's plans in the top category of motorsport.

"The project is completely independent, both from the Volkswagen Group and from Audi as a company," Döllner stated. The CEO explained that before entering Formula 1, the team drew up a business plan with independent financing, aiming to reach break-even before the end of this decade. Audi officially entered the category in 2026 as a factory team after acquiring Sauber; its main facilities are in Hinwil, Switzerland, and Neuburg, Germany, where it develops the power unit.

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is participating in the project; in November 2024, it agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG. Audi then explained that the investment from the Qatari sovereign fund would provide capital to expand the team's infrastructure, personnel, and development. QIA's involvement also opened the door to a shareholding structure different from the one initially planned.

Döllner acknowledged that there is interest from other investors in entering the team, although he ruled out that Audi currently has the intention of selling a new stake: "External interest is very great," the executive noted, although he clarified that if the company decides to move in that direction, it will do so through "a structured process and with the appropriate preparation time". His conclusion was clear: "Currently we don't see any need to do it."

The CEO also said Audi intends to remain the majority shareholder even if another investor joins in the future. Audi's entry into Formula 1 is part of a strategy that began years before its debut. In 2022, the brand announced Sauber as a strategic partner for its entry into the category and confirmed that the Swiss team would become its official structure from 2026; later, Audi moved towards the total acquisition of the Sauber Group and prepared its own power unit for the new technical regulations that came into force this season. The structure debuted in 2026 with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto and set a long-term roadmap to fight for championships in 2030. In March of this year, after Jonathan Wheatley's departure, Mattia Binotto became team director, and Allan McNish later joined as competition director.

Beyond the economic question, Döllner also discussed how a Formula 1 team should be structured. The Audi CEO defended a model with well-defined responsibilities and considered that sporting decisions cannot be subject to a collective process among all shareholders: "There have to be clear responsibilities. You can't run a Formula 1 team through a democratic leadership process," he explained, as speed in decision-making is especially important in a category where technical development and performance evolution require constant responses.

For now, Audi maintains its shareholding structure and does not contemplate issuing new shares, despite external interest; the priority remains consolidating the project and advancing towards the sporting objective set for the end of the decade.