Rumours say Sauber and Audi are hiding 2026 F1 buyout
Jun.21 - Sauber and Audi are "hiding" the fact that they will team up in a works collaboration in Formula 1 from 2026.
That is the word from an unnamed rival team boss, as the Volkswagen Group holds off on announcing the details of its F1 foray with both the Audi and Porsche brands.
Red Bull is hotly tipped to be powered by Porsche engines.
"There should be an official announcement at Red Bull's home race on July 10 in Spielberg," reported veteran Swiss journalist Roger Benoit in Blick newspaper.
As for Audi, several teams are linked with the works deal that will reportedly involve a partial or full buyout of the existing constructor.
One team boss, however, says the deal is already done.
"I don't understand why Sauber and Audi are still hiding their collaboration," the unnamed team boss declared.
"Audi secured 25 percent of the shares some time ago. And another 50 percent are to come. This is a really big sum of money," the source added.
Sauber, currently racing in F1 under the Alfa Romeo brand, is not confirming that.
"For me, Williams is the favourite," said team boss Frederic Vasseur.
"They have very good relations with VW and Germany."
It is said that both brands are eyeing German drivers, but 40-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso hinted in Montreal that he is not ruling out a VW-powered drive in 2026.
German Sebastian Vettel, meanwhile, added: "Let's think about it.
"I don't know is the answer - it's a long way away. I'm very much looking at this year, and then the next year rather than 2026.
"But I think it's good news that there's talk of new teams like Andretti and big manufacturers coming in," Vettel added. "F1 seems to grow in popularity so who knows what the sport is going to look like in '26."
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Sauber may have the better infrastructure and location for Audi, as much as i love the Williams history/story/brand, they are probably still 2nd rate in terms of set up, and if the $$ men dont wanna sell, but who knows still, i'm more sure of the Rb-Porsche deal than anything else
Hard lesson learned, never trust comments from 'unnamed sources'.
I doubt Alonso would still be racing in F1 four years from now.
Why is VW so much more appealing than Andretti, who has openly said he has very deep pockets behind him. Not to mention the most famous name in racing.
Porsche have an excellent racing pedigree that has endured for many decades. It would be great to see them back in F1 again, after their long absence. Porsche teaming up with RB would make a phenomenal opponent. The participation of more top level manufacturers would bring greater interest back into F1, even though both Porsche and Audi are under VW ownership.
So I thought Porsche owned VW, i know the company structure is very complicated, but i think on paper VW own Porsche but , I think money and shares wise Porsche own VW
You may be correct. However, they are all in bed together in some form!
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