INGOLSTADT (dpa-AFX) - With the complete takeover of its Formula 1 partner Sauber, the Volkswagen subsidiary Audi is removing the last doubts about its entry into the premier class of motorsport. On Friday, the car manufacturer confirmed its plans to take over 100 percent of the Sauber Group, thus going beyond its originally announced commitment. Originally Audi wanted to take a 75 percent stake in the Swiss Formula 1 racing team, but now the previous majority owner around Tetra Pak heir Finn Rausing will be completely bought out.

The current Sauber Managing Director Andreas Seidl will also take over this position at the Audi team in future. In August 2022, the car manufacturer announced its billion-euro entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season. "We have ambitious goals," Seidl was quoted as saying in the press release. The former McLaren team principal added that the takeover of Sauber would further accelerate the implementation of these plans

Audi is already building the new engine for its Formula 1 project in Neuburg an der Donau. The chassis comes from Hinwil from the Sauber team, which is still competing in the racing series this season under the name Kick Sauber.

Overall responsibility for Audi's Formula 1 project will lie with the former Board Member for Development, Oliver Hoffmann, who, alongside former Audi boss Markus Duesmann, was the driving force behind the expensive undertaking. Hoffmann will become Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sauber Group. His previous position as Head of Development will be taken over by the new Audi boss Gernot Dollner./hc/DP/nas