Earlier in the day, Audi officially announced that it will be entering F1 as an engine manufacturer from the 2026 season. The one thing that was missing from the announcement was the fact that Audi didn’t talk about having its own F1 team. Its CEO Markus Duessman did concede that it would just develop an engine in-house and would look to probably acquire a team. Now for weeks, it has been reported that Sauber will likely be that team. Sauber of course has an engine supply deal with Ferrari and a title name marketing deal with Alfa Romeo. In fact, Alfa Romeo extended the deal earlier this year till the end of 2023, but now this deal will not be further extended.
Alfa Romeo has announced that it will not be extending the deal at the end of the 2023 season which is a big hint toward the impending acquisition of the Sauber team by Audi.
“Alfa Romeo communicates that its partnership with Sauber Motorsport will end within the end of 2023. Alfa Romeo announced its return in F1 in 2017 with a long-term plan, and in July 2022 has announced the decision to continue its partnership with Sauber also for 2023, given to the promising results of the first half of the season, both in terms of performances, marketing and positive collaboration with the team,” said the team in an official statement on the Stellantis website.
“Since the economic and industrial turnaround of the brand will be achieved in 2022, Alfa Romeo will now evaluate among the many opportunities on the table, and decide which will be the best one to sustain the long-term strategy and the positioning of the Brand,” it added.
Audi is expected to be acquiring a majority stake in Sauber but will use its cutting-edge wind tunnel and chassis development facilities in Hinwil. Its current owners will retain a minority stake and will also get a seat on its board. Stellantis and Volkswagen Group, the various parents of Alfa Romeo and Audi are rivals so many expected the Alfa Romeo partnership to end after Audi’s F1 entry.
