The Sauber-Audi partnership has turned into a speculative saga bathed in mystery, intrigue, and close to a billion euros.
Three esteemed Formula 1 journalists have decided it’s time to shed some light on the situation, amid the paddock whispers. A recent piece from Der Spiegel, a bastion of German journalism, suggesting that following the abrupt dismissal of Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, the board of the VW-owned brand might be re-evaluating their grand 2026 plans.
Yet, Michael Schmidt of Auto Motor und Sport provides a different angle, painting a picture of a Monday meeting where Audi’s top decision-makers congregated to discuss the future under their new chairman, Gernot Dollner. In this boardroom ballet, Formula 1 was not explicitly on the agenda, but Schmidt shares whispers of certain board members and directors expressing doubts about the F1 venture.
The plot thickens as Dollner, Audi’s new helmsman, is a transplant from Porsche. This has sparked rumors that the Sauber-Audi project could potentially find a new home under Porsche’s banner. However, a cloak of silence envelops Dollner due to a confidentiality agreement with his former employer, binding him until December 9.
In the wake of the speculative storm, Audi’s CFO, Jurgen Rittersberger, stepped up to deliver a terse but crucial comment, affirming the F1 project’s continuation and denying any change in plans. Veteran Swiss journalist, Roger Benoit, interpreting this through the lens of experience, describes Rittersberger’s statement as a “shy yes” to F1, albeit temporarily putting some fires out.
“It is expected that the new CEO will comment on the Formula 1 campaign by the end of the year,” adds Schmidt, signaling that the final word is yet to be spoken.
From a financial standpoint, Audi’s engagement with Sauber is deep and binding. With a 25 percent stake in the Hinwil-based team already secure, and a plan to acquire over half of Sauber’s shares for a staggering EUR 300 million by December, Audi’s financial entanglement is undeniable. Breaking off this deal would mean navigating a costly exit, as current team owner Finn Rausing has apparently safeguarded the partnership with a ten-year contract, complete with a protective exit clause.
Bianca Garloff, another revered name in German F1 journalism, puts things into perspective: “Audi has already spent a total of around EUR 500 million to enter Formula 1 in 2026.” However, she also lends a cautionary note to the proceedings: “Where there is smoke, there is fire. But the project is not dead yet.”
Benoit, echoing the sentiments of fans and pundits alike, throws down the gauntlet, demanding transparency and truth. “Tell the truth!” he urges. “After weeks of speculation, silence is no longer an option. The fans also have a right to know what’s going on.”
