Motorsport - "Manager Magazin": Audi wants to stick to Formula 1 project
Despite rumors that Audi's Formula 1 project will be discontinued from 2026, the German car manufacturer is set to stick to its billion-euro entry into the premier class of motorsport, according to Manager Magazin. This is said to have been assured at an Audi AG management conference at the end of November. Board Member for Development Oliver Hoffmann was asked about the status of the Formula 1 plans, "Manager Magazin" reported on Thursday. He had once again explained how valuable the matter was for Audi. An audience member was quoted as saying that pulling out was not an option. The new Audi boss Gernot Döllner had not stopped his chief developer, the magazine continued.
Audi announced its entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season at the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2022. "With the new regulations, now is exactly the right time for us to join," the then Audi CEO and Formula 1 supporter Markus Duesmann said at the press conference. Audi did not want to enter Formula 1 "just for the fun of it", but to show "what we can do. The Olympic idea of just wanting to be there doesn't carry us," he said later.
However, the Volkswagen Group dismissed Duesmann at the end of June. His successor from the beginning of September was Gernot Döllner. The former Porsche man then began by gaining an overview of Audi. As he has a kind of 100-day confidentiality obligation, which is now coming to an end, and he did not comment on topics such as the planned and also internally controversial Formula 1 entry, rumors simmered about an end.
At the end of October, Jürgen Rittersberger, Audi AG's Board Member for Finance, Legal Affairs and IT, assured: "We have a clear decision-making position on the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board. We are sticking to our timetable for entry in 2026. There is no other decision."
Audi has long been preparing for its Formula 1 entry. The engine is being built in Neuburg an der Donau. The chassis comes from Hinwil from the Sauber team. Audi has long since acquired shares in the traditional Swiss racing team, which is still competing this season under the name of partner Alfa Romeo.
Audi Media Center Motorsport Report Manager Magazine (paywall) Information on Audi's Formula 1 project
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- Despite the rumors circulating about Audi's Formula 1 project potentially ending in 2026, Manager Magazin reports that the German car manufacturer is committed to sticking to its billion-euro investment in the premier class of motorsport, Formula 1.
- The grand prix of Belgium in August 2022 saw Audi announce its entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season, with then-CEO Markus Duesmann, a Formula 1 supporter, stating that the new regulations provided the perfect opportunity for Audi to join.
- The dismissal of Duesmann at the end of June was followed by the appointment of Gernot Döllner as his successor, leading to speculation about the future of Audi's Formula 1 project, given Döllner's initial silence on the matter due to a 100-day confidentiality agreement.
- Audi AG's Board Member for Finance, Legal Affairs and IT, Jürgen Rittersberger, later provided assurance that the company was sticking to its timetable for entry into Formula 1 in 2026, addressing any concerns about the project's continuation.
- Audi's Formula 1 entry preparations include building the engine in Neuburg an der Donau and collaborating with the Sauber team in Hinwil for the chassis, following Audi's acquisition of shares in the traditional Swiss racing team, which continues to compete under the Alfa Romeo name.
Source: www.stern.de
