The Qatar Investment Authority has announced its plans to become a long-term investor and partner for Audi’s Formula 1 team starting in 2026. The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar will acquire a significant minority stake in what will eventually become the Audi works team. This partnership was confirmed ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, with plans for the team to expand its infrastructure with the help of a substantial capital injection from the Qatar Investment Authority.
Currently competing as Sauber, the team will be rebranded as the Audi works outfit for the 2026 season after a full takeover agreement earlier this year. Audi’s CEO, Gernot Dollner, expressed his excitement for this new partnership and the acceleration of the team’s growth with the additional capital.
Qatar Investment Authority, already an investor in the Volkswagen Group which includes Audi, sees Formula 1 as a worthwhile investment opportunity with significant untapped potential. CEO Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi believes in the commercialization of professional sports and the global popularity of Formula 1, making it an exciting opportunity for their first major motorsports investment.
In addition to the financial support from Qatar, Sauber will also see changes on the driver front for the 2025 season, with Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto replacing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. This new investment and partnership set the stage for a promising future for Audi’s Formula 1 team.
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