Audi in Formula One

Pre–World War II Grands Prix (1935–1939)

Whilst the modern Audi company has never entered Grand Prix motor racing, its predecessor company Auto Union had competed in Grand Prix racing from 1935 to 1939, prior to World War II and the inception of the Formula One World Championship in 1950.^[1]

Auto Union was founded in 1932, during the Great Depression, as a merger of four struggling automotive firms: Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer.^[2] The following year, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler announced a state-sponsored motor racing programme with Mercedes-Benz.^[3] Upon request from Ferdinand Porsche, Hitler agreed that competition between two German firms would improve their chances of victory and national glory; an annual 500,000 ℛℳ (£40,000; £2,480,000 in 2025) prize for the most successful car between Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz was announced, eventually rising to 3,125,000 ℛℳ (£250,000; £15,470,000 in 2025) and prompting a heated rivalry.^[4]

Across five seasons in the AIACR European Championship, Auto Union won seven Grandes Épreuves and 14 non-championship Grands Prix.^[5] Bernd Rosemeyer claimed European Drivers' Championship in 1936, driving the Type C, with victories at the German, Swiss, and Italian Grands Prix.^[3] Hermann Paul Müller—driving the Type D—unofficially won the final edition in 1939, with the title not awarded due to the onset of World War II in Europe following the invasion of Poland.^[6] Auto Union was later absorbed by Volkswagen in 1964, becoming the modern-day Audi company.^[7]

Zürich-based constructors (1993–2025)

The antecedent constructor to Audi based in Hinwil—Sauber—made its Formula One debut in 1993, having contested sportscar racing since 1970.^[8] The team was partnered with Mercedes-Benz until 1994, Ford until 1996, and Ferrari (rebadged as Petronas) until 2005, before becoming the factory team for BMW from 2006 to 2009.^[9] Sauber claimed its highest finishes in the World Constructors' Championship with second and third in 2007 and 2008, respectively, the former after a disqualification for McLaren and the latter including its sole victory at the Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica.^[10] It returned as an independent constructor in 2010 with Ferrari engines, repurchased by Peter Sauber following the Great Recession and a failed shell company acquisition.^[11] A title sponsorship deal with Alfa Romeo in 2018 led to a full rebrand from 2019 to 2023,^[12] after which it switched to support from Stake and Kick.^[13]

Establishment (2022–2025)

In August 2022, Audi announced that it would enter Formula One as a power unit manufacturer in 2026—the planned year for a regulation overhaul.^[14][15] That October, Audi confirmed its rumoured partnership with Sauber, acquiring a stake in the company for a full rebrand and power unit deal.^[16][17] In November 2024, the Qatar Investment Authority purchased a minority stake in the team.^[18] The investment was described as a "substantial minority" stake in Sauber Holding AG, with Audi and QIA stating that the funding would support the expansion of personnel and facilities ahead of the team's planned 2026 entry.^[19][20][21]

Veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto joined Sauber on separate multi-year contracts from 2025 onwards, thus becoming Audi's driver lineup upon its debut.^[22][23][24] Neel Jani was signed as a simulator driver to assist with car development.^[25][26] By July of that year, Sauber opened the Sauber Motorsport Technology Centre in Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire,^[27][28] with the aim of attracting specialised personnel to join the team in the "Motorsport Valley" region of England. The technology centre aims to complement the primary headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, where the chassis is constructed.^[28]

Audi signed a multi-year deal with British financial technology company Revolut to become the title sponsor of the team.^[29][30]

Debut (2026)

Audi debuted at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2026 with the R26, designed for new chassis and power unit regulations.^[31] Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg qualified 10th and 11th respectively. Bortoleto finished the race in 9th place, scoring Audi's first ever points in Formula One, while Hülkenberg was unable to take the start due to technical issues. Roles were reversed in China, with Bortoleto unable to start as Hülkenberg brought home a P11, after unfortunate safety car timing. The unluckiness of the safety car continued in Japan, where Hülkenberg brought home another P11, while Bortoleto settled for 13th after a poor start.

Constructor personnel

From its establishment, Jonathan Wheatley was the inaugural team principal of Audi.^[32] Following his departure in March 2026, project head Mattia Binotto was appointed Team Principal.^[33] James Key is Audi's technical director.^[34]

Driver development programme

On 23 January 2026, Audi launched their driver development programme, being led by former Formula One driver Allan McNish.^[35]

Power unit programme

The Audi power unit programme will be operated by the subsidiary Audi Formula Racing GmbH,^[36] based in Neuburg an der Donau, Bavaria, Germany.^[37]

Racing licence and facilities

Audi competes with a German racing licence^[38] and is based at three facilities across Europe:

• Chassis department: former Sauber headquarters in Hinwil, Zurich, Switzerland;
• Technology centre: Bicester Motion in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England;^[39]
• Power unit department: Neuburg an der Donau, Bavaria, Germany.^[37]