The 2024 Formulation 1 season is winding down, however plans are already in movement for not simply the 2025 season, however the 2026 marketing campaign.
That season will deliver monumental change to the game. Not solely will F1 implement a brand new collection of technical rules for the 2026 season, however the sport may also see enlargement to 11 groups — with the newly-formed Cadillac-Normal Motors group becoming a member of the grid — in addition to Audi, presently the Sauber group, taking up as a works operation.
Now there’s extra information on that entrance.
Sauber Holding AG, the long run F1 manufacturing facility group of Audi, introduced on Friday that the Qatar Funding Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, has agreed to “purchase a big minority stake” within the Sauber Holding AG.
In keeping with the announcement, the QIA’s funding will “present a considerable capital injection and pave the way in which for growing infrastructure and group buildout, positioning the group for long-term success in Formulation 1. The funding is according to QIA’s concentrate on investments with long-term progress potential.”
The transfer is the newest aggressive choice introduced by the long run Audi F1 challenge. Through the summer time the group introduced that Mattia Binotto, previously the Group Principal at Ferrari, was becoming a member of as each the Chief Expertise Officer and the Chief Working Officer of Audi F1. It was additionally introduced that Jonathan Wheatley, the longtime Sporting Director at Purple Bull, could be becoming a member of the group subsequent 12 months as Group Principal.
Audi introduced their drivers for subsequent season, a pairing of veteran Nico Hülkenberg and younger driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
Now the challenge has the backing of the QIA, which in line with Gernot Döllner, the CEO of Audi, will “speed up the group’s progress” and result in elevated hiring and infrastructure enhancements.
“The funding by QIA displays the belief and confidence the Audi F1 Mission has already garnered, underscoring unwavering dedication of Audi to the initiative,” mentioned Döllner. “This extra capital will speed up the group’s progress and is yet one more milestone on our long-term technique. QIA’s involvement additional energizes the devoted efforts at each the Hinwil and Neuburg amenities as they work in the direction of the entry of Audi in 2026.”
Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, the CEO of the QIA, pointed to the “more and more world reputation of Formulation 1” as a motive for the transfer.
“Audi is a premium companion of selection with a wealthy motorsport legacy. As a long-standing investor within the Volkswagen Group, we imagine in Audi’s imaginative and prescient and course when getting into Formulation 1 and our funding will help the belief of this aim,” mentioned Al-Sowaidi. “QIA believes that Formulation 1 is a sport with vital untapped funding potential. The growing commercialization {of professional} sports activities as an leisure providing globally, and the more and more world reputation of Formulation 1, has made for an thrilling alternative for our first main motorsports funding.”
The group will compete as Sauber for one ultimate season in 2025, earlier than the change to Audi.