P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi’s nascent F1 project could be about to receive new ownership as parent company Volkswagen is locked in talks with an investor.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) currently holds 17% of Volkswagen Group shares and is in discussions with VW and Audi to support the German car brand’s F1 project set to begin in 2026. Negotiations between QIA and VW Group include the potential for QIA to purchase a larger stake in VW shares. A partnership with Audi’s F1 team could provide crucial assistance amid Audi’s financial struggles and potential job losses. The QIA aims to increase its control within VW Group and may intervene to ensure the success of Audi’s F1 project, scheduled to launch in 2026. Further developments are expected regarding the acquisition of Sauber Motorsport by Audi and potential changes within Audi’s F1 team leadership. The global auto industry’s challenges make QIA’s financial backing a valuable asset for Audi as it navigates its return to F1 competition in collaboration with partners like Honda and Red Bull Powertrains. The appointment of Mattia Binotto and the reshuffling of the Sauber Motorsport team indicate a strategic approach to positioning Audi as a competitive force in F1’s new era.
