Audi F1 has made a significant move in its preparations for its 2026 entry into Formula 1, agreeing to sell a 30 percent stake in the team to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). The deal, which is reported to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, will add Audi F1 to QIA’s already extensive portfolio of investments, which is valued at around $475 billion. This investment is part of Audi’s strategy to ramp up its growth ahead of the team’s official debut on the F1 grid in 2026 when it will take over Sauber’s operations.
The deal was sealed in a rather unexpected setting, at a “QIA Signing Ceremony” held at a luxury hotel in Doha, where Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff managed to sneak in and witness the contract being signed. Wolff, who is a key figure in Mercedes’ success, seemed to find the situation amusing, as the “secret” nature of the event became clear when he spotted the sign and walked in. His presence at such a high-profile event may have even been captured by Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ cameras, adding yet another intriguing element to the unfolding drama surrounding Audi’s F1 entry.
Audi’s CEO, Gernot Döllner, and Mattia Binotto, Audi F1’s team principal, have expressed their optimism about the deal, with Döllner stating that it will accelerate the team’s development. Audi F1’s entry will be as a works team, running its own power unit, though Binotto anticipates a learning curve, particularly in terms of engine development. He acknowledged that Audi is competing against well-established manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Red Bull, who are already experienced in F1 engine design. While Audi’s engine is progressing well in testing, Binotto expects the team to start at a deficit compared to its rivals, but they are focused on speeding up development to be as competitive as possible by the start of the 2026 season.
Despite the challenges, Audi is working intensively to close any gaps before their debut, with more than a year left to refine their power unit and ensure they are competitive when the new regulations take effect.
