Audi is reportedly close to selling a stake in its Formula 1 Sauber team to Qatar (QIA), with an official announcement potentially arriving before the Qatar Grand Prix.
While the parties involved have consistently denied the rumors, veteran F1 journalist Joe Saward was the first to hint at a potential deal. Reports now suggest the agreement could be finalized as early as next week, with indications that the scale of the investment may exceed initial expectations.
Reports suggest that Qatar is prepared to invest up to €1 billion in the project, provided favorable conditions are met. This potential partnership aligns naturally with Qatar’s existing ties to Formula 1, as state-owned Qatar Airways is a major sponsor of the sport. Additionally, Qatar has long viewed F1 as a valuable global platform, further solidifying its interest in the championship.
So with QIA set to enter F1 through Audi F1, what can we expect from the German-based outfit in the years to come?
A new powerhouse is on the cards
Earlier this year, Audi outlined its goals for its 2026 Formula 1 debut, with CEO Gernot Dollner revealing that the company has adjusted to a “more realistic” timeline after assessing its preparations. While Audi initially aimed to achieve race wins within three years, Dollner confirmed the timeline has been “recalibrated.”
Expectations, however, could rise dramatically with Qatari investment, as substantial financial backing from the Middle East may accelerate the team’s progress. If Audi’s entry unfolds as planned, the team could evolve into a dominant force, much like Red Bull, which entered F1 in 2005 and achieved remarkable success through significant investments.
Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg and current F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto are set to race for Sauber in 2025, with Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team principal, now leading the Audi project as chief operating officer. Additionally, Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will join the team next year, taking on the role of team principal. His experience at the highest level could prove crucial in the development of the team.
Audi can go for bigger names if needed in the future, once they ease into the competition. Although Hulkenberg and Bortoleto are set to lead the team in 2025, Audi’s long-term plan could include ambitious moves to attract high-profile drivers.
Audi to have a ‘geographical edge’ over rival teams
Audi’s 2026 entry into F1 will reportedly be supported by an increased budget cap, according to BBC Sport. This adjustment is attributed to the higher salary costs in Switzerland, where Audi will operate from Sauber’s Hinwil facility. Salaries in Switzerland are estimated to be 35-45% higher than those in the UK and Italy, where other teams are based. Since salaries account for nearly half of the current budget cap, Audi would spend a larger portion of its limit on wages compared to rivals, despite having a comparable workforce size.
What is the net worth of QIA?
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), established in 2005, manages the State of Qatar’s wealth with a primary goal of creating long-term value. Additionally, it aims to provide liquidity for stabilizing the local economy and to support domestic economic development.
Ranked as the world’s eighth-largest sovereign fund by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, the QIA oversees assets totaling $526 billion. Its investments span nine sectors: retail and consumer, technology/media/telecom (TMT), liquid securities, infrastructure, financials, funds, healthcare, industrials, and real estate.
What are the other sporting investments of QIA?
Last July, QIA made headlines by becoming a minority investor in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of Washington, D.C.’s Capitals, Mystics, and Wizards. However, Qatar’s involvement in sports predates this move. In 2011, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), another state-backed entity, acquired the iconic French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi serving as its president and chairman of the Qatari-owned beIN Media Group. Additionally, QSI holds a minority stake in Portugal’s Sporting Clube de Braga and significant interests in leading global padel tours.
Investments in ONE Championship
ONE already maintains strong ties with Qatar through a media rights agreement with state-owned broadcaster BeIN Sports, which spans the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
