Audi has formally confirmed that the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar has acquired a “significant minority stake” in its Formula 1 team, which is currently still running under the Sauber name.
The Qatar Investment Authority has a wide range interests around the globe, and it has owned a chunk of the VW Group since 2009.
The deal ensures that Audi no longer has full responsibility for funding the entire operation.
Audi says: “QIA’s investment will provide a substantial capital injection and pave the way for increasing infrastructure and team buildout, positioning the team for long-term success in Formula 1.
“The investment is consistent with QIA’s focus on investments with long-term growth potential.”
The new arrangement mirrors that at the works Mercedes outfit, where only a third of the team is owned by Stuttgart, and the rest by Ineos and Toto Wolff.
“The investment by QIA reflects the trust and confidence the Audi F1 Project has already garnered, underscoring unwavering commitment of Audi to the initiative,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy. QIA’s involvement further energizes the dedicated efforts at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities as they work towards the entry of Audi in 2026.”
QIA’s CEO Mohammed Al-Sowaidi added: “Audi is a premium partner of choice with a rich motorsport legacy.
“As a long-standing investor in the Volkswagen Group, we believe in Audi’s vision and direction when entering F1 and our investment will support the realization of this goal.
“QIA believes that F1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The increasing commercialisation of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of F1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”
