Audi F1 Issues Official Statement Amid Reports of Team Sale and Financial Concerns

Audi’s much-anticipated entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season has been overshadowed by recent rumors suggesting the team may sell a stake to the Qatari sovereign wealth fund due to financial challenges. However, Audi’s Formula 1 project has now issued an official statement, strongly refuting these reports and asserting that their commitment to the sport remains unwavering.

As Audi prepares to fully take over the Sauber F1 team in 2026, speculation surrounding the team’s finances has escalated. According to former F1 driver turned pundit, Ralf Schumacher, Audi had significantly underestimated the financial resources required to compete at the highest level. Schumacher claimed that the German automaker’s financial miscalculations could be as high as a billion dollars, resulting in a struggle to secure the necessary funds to support the team’s entry into F1.

“Things just aren’t going smoothly,” said Schumacher on Sky Germany. “There are already personnel changes before they’ve even begun. At Sauber, they’re really fighting at the back of the field, and now with the economic crisis in Germany, jobs are under debate and profits are collapsing. This has led to the point where Audi has slightly miscalculated the whole project—unfortunately, it appears this is around a billion.”

In light of these rumors, Audi moved swiftly to clarify its position. In an official statement to GPFans, the company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Formula 1, emphasizing that the decision to enter the sport was made well in advance and that their plans remain firmly in place. The statement read:

“Audi’s Formula 1 project is long-term and is not in question. The decision was well prepared two and a half years ago and reassessed last year. We are firmly convinced that Formula 1 and Audi are a perfect fit. It is in line with our strategy.”

The statement also highlighted Audi’s recent strategic moves to bolster its F1 project, including the announcement of Mattia Binotto’s appointment as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Jonathan Wheatley as team principal. These appointments were described as clear expressions of Audi’s commitment to making their F1 project a success. The company also reiterated that the team is not for sale, dismissing the circulating speculations as unfounded.

Audi’s financial miscalculations and the rumors of a potential sale come at a challenging time, as the company faces broader economic pressures in Germany. Despite this, Audi remains committed to their F1 entry, having already made significant investments in the Sauber team, including the signing of drivers such as Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. The upcoming 2026 season is seen as a major milestone in Audi’s motorsport strategy, and the automaker is determined to enter F1 as a strong contender, with a focus on long-term success rather than short-term financial hurdles.

Audi’s official stance on the situation indicates that they are fully prepared to navigate the complexities of Formula 1, including the considerable financial investment required, and are confident that their entry into the sport will be a major step in reinforcing the brand’s global presence.

As the 2026 season draws nearer, fans and industry experts alike will be closely monitoring Audi’s progress, especially as the team prepares to compete against the established F1 giants. With their recent statement, Audi has made it clear that, despite the challenges, they are fully committed to the future of their Formula 1 project, and the rumors surrounding a potential stake sale are nothing more than speculative chatter.