The Volkswagen Group, which owns Audi, is now under such financial pressure that it is considering selling the entire Formula 1 venture to a state fund from Qatar.
Volkswagen is considering selling Audi's Formula 1 project to Qatar in order to curb an economic crisis that threatens the entire group's existence.
An agreement on partial or complete sale could strengthen Volkswagen's crisis-stricken economy enormously at a time when the brand does not even earn DKK 1,000 per sold street car.
At the same time, a sale would be able to maintain the presence of the Audi brand in Formula 1. At least for now. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which is Qatar's state investment fund, already owns a significant part of the Volkswagen group, is mentioned as a possible buyer.
That's what Auto Motor und Sport writes.
Audi officially entered Formula 1 at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2022. Immediately afterwards, the German brand partially took over the Swiss team Sauber in a deal valued at 4.2 billion Danish kroner.
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The aim was to establish Audi as the Volkswagen Group's presence in Formula 1. However, Boosted has since been able to tell that Audi was actually considering withdrawing from the sport due to errors to the tune of 8 billion kroner. Read more about it here.
But to support the Formula 1 project, Volkswagen built a new factory in the city of Neuburg. The entire facility is dedicated to the development of the current V6 hybrid engine of the Formula 1 regulations.
Internally, however, Audi's Formula 1 project has faced several challenges. Management changes and strategic considerations have characterized the project, including the employment of former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, who was brought in to stabilize the process.
According to several media, Audi's new managing director, Gernot Döllner, has openly spoken critically about both Formula 1 and the brand's involvement in motorsport. These internal considerations have contributed to further uncertainties about whether Audi will even field when the 2026 season begins.
Conversely, Qatar as a country has for several years strengthened its commitment to motorsport and Formula 1. Qatar Airways acts as an official sponsor of Formula 1, and the Lusail International Circuit hosts the annual Qatar Grand Prix.
A possible collaboration or a partial takeover of Audi's F1 project could therefore strengthen Qatar's presence in the sport and ensure continued branding for Audi in Formula 1, while also freeing up some finances for Volkswagen.
There is still nothing official about a possible exit from the Volkswagen group. But Audi's involvement in motorsport's royal class is doubted by many. However, the rumor mill is not only at and around Audi. Another Formula 1 team has recently again had to deny that a sale is on the way. Read more about it here .
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