Explained - Why would Audi already sell stakes in their works team?

Ever since Audi announced it would buy the Sauber team and enter F1 with their own power unit, rumours circulated that the manufacturer would abandon the project before it even began. Time and time again, spokespeople - including when asked by GPBlog - explained that scrapping the project was well off the cards. Now, it seems that part of the company is already changing hands, which will provide Audi with a partial return on their huge investment. The supposed investor is said to be worth billions.

Audi's parent group in dire straits:

Audi reportedly paid at least $600 million for 100 per cent of Sauber's shares. The fact that the manufacturer decided to create its own powertrain would have cost them hundreds of millions alone. Parent company Volkswagen isn't flourishing in 2024. In Germany, several factories are to close, and Volkswagen has been trying to cut down on its costs.

It's a strange comparison, then. Investing heavily into Formula 1 whilst cutting regular costs. Thanks to the Qatari investor, Audi will be provided with some financial breathing space. In particular, the costs of factory upgrades at Sauber's Swiss Hinwil base can be paid for by the investment company alone.

Since the F1 project was born, there's already been a change of leadership, a lengthy search for a second driver to partner Nico Hulkenberg, and the decision to purchase 100 per cent of Sauber. The latter was done so that Audi would have more control over the running of the team, meaning that could push the team forward faster, in their own hands.

With the likely arrival of this Qatar-based investment company, another chapter of the Audi F1 team is already upon us. And still, the first F1 car has not even left the factory yet.

This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon

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