The Qatari sovereign wealth fund QIA is investing a lot of money in the Audi Formula 1 team. The capital will be used to modernize the Neuburg an der Donau and Hinwil locations. The deal is also a sign in the crisis-ridden VW world.
Audi’s future Formula 1 factory team is getting an investor. The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar (QIA) is entering with a “significant minority stake”. The deal was – fittingly – announced as part of the rich emirate’s Grand Prix.
“QIA’s investment reflects the trust that the Audi F1 project has already gained and underlines Audi’s commitment to Formula 1,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “The additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is another milestone in our long-term strategy.”
Qatar has long been the third major shareholder in parent company VW through a holding company, and the country on the Persian Gulf is also one of the main sponsors of Formula 1 through the airline Qatar Airways.
According to media reports, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has taken over almost 30 percent of the team, which will continue to compete under the Sauber name next year. From 2026, when a major regulatory reform towards significantly more sustainability takes effect, there should be two Audis on the starting grid. QIA’s long-term investment represents a “significant capital inflow” for the team, it said. As “Bild” reports, the sum is up to one billion euros.
With all the money from Qatar, Audi can now expand and modernize the Neuburg an der Donau and Hinwil locations. The income is also a sign to the VW world. Because Volkswagen is in a crisis and is planning comprehensive measures to become competitive again. The car manufacturer is keeping plant closures and the reduction of tens of thousands of jobs open.
“The most ambitious project in Formula 1 at the moment”
There had always been doubts about the project, which Mattia Binotto described as “the most ambitious project in Formula 1 at the moment”. The former Ferrari team boss has been the leader of this project since August. Jonathan Wheatley, who is still sports director at Red Bull, has already been hired as team boss from 2026. The chassis will then be built in the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, and the drive will be built in a newly built factory in Neuburg an der Donau.
Due to personnel changes in important positions, the project was temporarily stalled and the objectives also had to be corrected. Initially, those responsible had relied on a three-year plan in order to be able to win. In a billion-dollar competition with competitors such as Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari, Audi also has to fight for additional qualified personnel. The entry of Qatar can help with this.
SUF with dpa
