Audi has found a new home in F1! The German carmaker will take over the Alfa Romeo stable from the 2026 season

Audi, which will become a new player in the field of engine suppliers in Formula 1 from the 2026 season, will take over the current Alfa Romeo Sauber stable after joining the queen of motorsport. At the same time, Audi, which falls under the wing of the Volkswagen giant, plans to start producing F1 engines as early as next year.

Ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Audi announced that the Sauber Group will become its “strategic partner” for its F1 programme, which will kick off with the full deployment of the cars in the first race of the 2026 season.

“The partnership between Audi and Sauber Motorsport is a key step for our team to further advance towards the front of the grid. Becoming an official Audi factory team is a great honour and responsibility,” said Alfa Romeo F1 team boss Frédéric Vasseur in a press release from Sauber.

“We are delighted to have such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project. We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art facilities and experienced F1 team from previous collaborations. We are confident that together we will create a competitive stable,” announced Oliver Hoffman, Audi Board Member for the Formula 1 programme, in the same release.

Audi also plans to buy a stake in the Sauber Group, which manages the team with current title sponsor Alfa Romeo. The Sauber team has been operating under that name since the 2019 season. However, the Italian marque announced at the end of August that it would exit Formula 1 after next season.

The world-renowned manufacturer will start its journey to the F1 grid next year with a major expansion of its infrastructure in Neuburg on the Danube in Germany. This is also where the actual production of the engines that Audi wants to test on a real circuit in 2025 will begin.

The German carmaker made an official announcement at the end of August about entering F1 as an engine supplier, which will be transformed dramatically in four years’ time. 100% sustainable fuels and an increase in the share of electric drive will play a major role.

Source: F1, Sauber Group