02 It wasn’t too long ago that Audi found itself having to repeatedly deny rumours that it would enter Formula 1. Now, having announced its decision to launch a works F1 programme after all, the German manufacturer is in the awkward position of having to quash speculation that its planned debut will not take place.
Speculation about a possible U-turn on Audi’s way to Formula 1 was largely provoked by a CEO change. Markus Duesmann, who had overseen the decision to initiate an F1 programme for 2026, left his position at the end of June. He was widely regarded as one of the main proponents of an F1 entry and the same could not be said for Gernot Doellner, his successor. Doellner took over at the helm of Audi in early September but, in line with VW Group policy, refrained from commenting publicly on the state of the company during his first 100 days in office.
The autumn produced the main wave of speculation about the end of a programme that had not yet really begun. Wild rumours even predicted the sale of Sauber’s already-acquired shares to another manufacturer – most paddock whispers identified Toyota as a potential buyer.
The fact that Sauber had been running under the Alfa Romeo banner last season served to fuel the gossip, since it meant team management were reluctant to comment on their future with Audi, a rival car brand. However, at the final round of the last year’s championship in Abu Dhabi, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi categorically denied there was any doubt about the direction of travel.
“The commitment of Audi was really strong from the very beginning,” he said. “The F1 project has been approved by the Audi management board, confirmed by the Supervisory Board of Audi and then confirmed by the
Supervisory Board of VW. It is a commitment at every level within the Audi and VW Group.
“The change of the CEO doesn’t change this approach, because it was not a decision
