Audi is gearing up to enter Formula 1 in 2026 – notwithstanding rampant rumours suggesting the VW brand might be trying to hit reverse gear. But, amid the paddock whispers of trouble at the mill, shares of the Swiss-based Sauber team have already quietly changed hands. And now, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the awkwardly-titled ‘team representative’ at Sauber amid the transition, sheds light on the swirling speculation. Speaking to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, Bravi reveals, “I hear a lot of rumours, but I’m happy about it because it helps the journalists write their stories.”
Beyond the rumour mill, he says there’s a hive of activity in Neuburg, where a dedicated team of 350 people, led by Adam Baker, is immersed in the design and development of Audi’s power unit.
What’s intriguing, however, is the silence that has shrouded Sauber and Audi’s collaboration, at least until recently. Bravi, now more vocal, underscores the significance of their partnership, “We are one of the few teams that has a long-term plan,” he asserts. “Audi is coming in 2026, but they’re already pretty involved. They have been minority owners since January 2023. We’re working with them to identify weaknesses and develop the team.”
Andreas Seidl, the CEO of the Sauber Group, is at the helm of this transformative journey, steering the team daily towards a future that promises to revolutionise the struggling privateer outfit. The mission? To morph into a formidable works team, capable of challenging the sport’s titans. This ambitious vision is not without its challenges, as Bravi acknowledges. “Recruiting new employees is not a matter of just one day,” he says. “But we offer an exciting project – perhaps the most exciting in Formula 1 in the last ten years.”
Sauber, still under the Alfa Romeo banner for now, has faced an uphill task with its 2023 car. Bravi is candid about the necessity for improvement, “In order for us to have a competitive platform as an Audi factory team from 2026, we have to improve every year,” he states. “There has to be more from everyone, in every area.”
The team’s driver lineup has also been a subject of much debate. Despite rumours of Audi pressuring for a stronger driver pairing, Sauber has retained Valtteri Bottas alongside Guanyu Zhou for 2024. Bravi addresses this decision, highlighting the importance of consistency and stability during this transformational phase. However, he doesn’t shy away from setting high expectations for both drivers, particularly Zhou, who he feels needs to “take another step” next season.
But Bravi is also putting pressure on Valtteri Bottas. “He should continue to drive the team forward and contribute to car development,” he said of the experienced former Mercedes driver. “With his experience, he has to be there for us when opportunities arise.
“We push our drivers to improve – like everyone else on the team. In order for us to achieve better results, everyone has to step up.”
