‘Sauber’s new motto: ‘From the sand to the tarmac, we race as one.’
Volkswagen Group is Financially Struggling. Quarter 3 profits dropped 42%, and Audi’s profits plummeted by 91%.
Volkswagen shares hit a 24-year low; workers asked for a 10% pay cut.
Audi’s 100% takeover plan for Sauber F1 is reconsidered due to financial challenges.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, negotiates a deal to acquire a 30% stake in Sauber Holding AG.
The investment announced during the Qatar GP is estimated at hundreds of millions, potentially up to €1bn.
In 2025, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto join the team, replacing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
In 2026, Audi enters F1 as a factory team, rebranding Sauber and producing its own power units.
QIA’s financial backing aims to position Audi competitively alongside Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin.
Key Points on Qatar’s Investment:
30% minority stake in Sauber Holding AG.
Qatar already owns 17% of Volkswagen Group, Audi’s parent company.
QIA seeks to strengthen Audi’s competitiveness and expand its global sports portfolio.
Broader Middle Eastern Influence:
Bahrain’s ownership of McLaren and Abu Dhabi’s investment via CYVN Holdings.
Highlights the increasing role of Middle Eastern investors in global motorsport.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasised QIA’s trust in Audi’s F1 project and its role in accelerating team growth.
QIA CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi described Formula 1 as an untapped investment opportunity with immense global appeal.
The partnership between QIA and Audi underscores the Middle East’s growing influence in motorsport.
With Qatar’s financial muscle and Audi’s technological ambition, their 2026 debut could reshape F1’s competitive landscape.
‘They say money can’t buy happiness, but a 30% stake in Sauber might just buy a couple of podiums.‘
