Talks about the involvement of new car manufacturers in the Formula 1 world championship have been going on for a long time. Both Audi and Porsche were always named among the most likely candidates. Both companies have a long and illustrious history in motorsport, but mostly in rallying, endurance racing and touring car championships, and here at last Audi decided to turn its attention to Formula 1 as well.

In 2026, Audi / Sauber cars will appear on the starting grid of the Grand Prix. This team, which has been participating in the royal race since 1993, was chosen by Audi as its general partner. Sauber will develop the cars at its own base in Guinville, Switzerland, while Audi will produce the power unit at a plant in Neuburg, Germany. We will remind you that the new Formula 1 engine regulations will come into effect in 2026. The first tests of Audi cars with Sauber engines are scheduled for 2025.

Interestingly, Sauber worked with many car manufacturers, getting engines from Mercedes, Ford, BMW and Ferrari. From 2006 to 2009, the team even acted as a BMW factory team and was called the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

The Sauber team is now called Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen and receives power plants from Ferrari. But cooperation with the Alfa Romeo brand should end at the end of the 2023 season. Under which name and with which sponsor Sauber will compete in the 2024-25 seasons is still unknown.