Audi F1 has transferred a 30% minority stake in their Formula 1 team to Qatar, highlighting the increasing influence of the Arab world in the sport. The deal with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is believed to be worth several hundred million dollars.
The agreement, which was reportedly finalized on Friday in Qatar, involves the sale of a stake in Sauber Holding AG, the parent company, while Audi’s Formula Racing GmbH remains unaffected by the deal. In addition, to several key staff hires and upgrades to their Neuburg facility, Audi has secured a major partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority, which boasts a portfolio valued at $475 billion.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG, commented: “The investment by QIA reflects the trust and confidence the Audi F1 Project has already garnered, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Audi to the initiative.”
“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone in our long-term strategy. QIA’s involvement further energizes the dedicated efforts at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities as they work towards the entry of Audi in 2026.”
“QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”
We are excited to share that we have partnered with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to accelerate our preparations for Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 debut.
The partnership will help achieve significant milestones in the short term, driving both the growth of our team and the… pic.twitter.com/9Ta0fv8FIk
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) November 29, 2024
F1 is not the only sport that has captured the interest of Arab nations; clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Newcastle United are all owned by entities from the region. In 2022, Saudi Arabia launched LIV Golf as a competitor to the PGA Tour. Additionally, Saudi Arabia hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina emerged victorious, and continues to be a prominent venue for various boxing events.
F1 returns to the country for the third time this weekend, as the season’s final sprint weekend and penultimate Grand Prix unfold at the Lusail International Circuit. Sauber is aiming for a strong finish in the season’s last two races to climb out of the constructors’ championship basement, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu still yet to score any points in 2024.
Sauber will field two new drivers in 2025, with German veteran Nico Hulkenberg making his return to the Swiss team after a two-year spell with Haas. Joining him will be Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, the current leader of the Formula 2 championship.
Read More: What is Up For Grabs at the Qatar GP?
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.
