Audi has sold part of its Formula 1 team to the Qatar sovereign wealth fund, marking a significant step toward the 2026 season.
Audi has confirmed the partial sale of its Formula 1 team to the Qatar sovereign wealth fund.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has become a minority shareholder in Sauber Motorsport, which will become Audi’s factory F1 team in time for the 2026 season.
The exact percentage of shares acquired by QIA has not been disclosed, but it is estimated to be around 25 to 30%.
Audi CEO Gernot Dollner confirmed that the company’s intention was to purchase 100% of Sauber Motorsport before selling a portion to a third party.
QIA already holds around 17% of Volkswagen shares, Audi’s parent company. QIA and the VW Group are also in discussions regarding a larger stake.
Audi’s decision to sell a stake in the team to QIA comes at a time when the global automotive industry is facing declining sales, with potential job losses, which lends further credibility to the partnership with QIA, valued at approximately $475 billion.
“We have signed a contract with the Qatar Investment Authority to become partners in our Formula 1 project,” said Dollner.
“QIA will have a minority stake, and we share the same objectives, believing in the project and the approach we are taking.”
“We reviewed the Formula 1 project and decided that we needed a broader approach, and choosing a partner was part of that decision. This is an important step for our Formula 1 project.”
“In October last year, we decided to proceed with the restructuring, and exactly one year ago, on November 29, the QIA team visited our transmission unit in Neuburg to get an understanding of the setup, professionalism, and long-term strategy. From there, we developed the plan for entering into the partnership.”
Dollner revealed that plans for a long-term partnership with a major investor were set in motion over a year ago and are thus unrelated to the recent financial setbacks.
“Not at all. When I took on the role of CEO at Audi, we reviewed the project, and the question was how to move forward. And that was a year ago. Part of the decision to fully commit and pursue this program was driven by the need to think bigger, especially in the context of the complex transition phase the entire industry is going through.”
“We therefore decided to take on partners, as other teams do, to build a really strong team. So, this has nothing to do with that.”
When asked whether Audi would seek further external investment beyond QIA, Dollner did not rule out the possibility.
“For now, it’s QIA, and maybe we will take that step in the future, but there is no decision, nor even a process in place.”
QIA CEO Mohammed Al-Sowaidi supported Audi’s “vision and direction” for the team, which has notably recruited Mattia Binotto as Technical Director and Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull as Team Principal, and Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto as drivers.
“Audi is a natural partner with a rich motorsport heritage. As a long-time investor in the Volkswagen Group, we believe in Audi’s vision and direction for its Formula 1 entry, and our investment will support the achievement of that goal.”
“QIA believes Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The growing commercialization of professional sports as global entertainment and the rising popularity of Formula 1 have created an exciting opportunity for our first major investment in motorsport.”
- Discover More>Norris takes pole for the F1 Sprint in Qatar ahead of Russell
- Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates.
Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund Acquires Stake in Audi F1 Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund Acquires Stake in Audi F1
