From giants based in Germany Audimade a statement today and stated that they have accelerated their preparations for Formula 1, which they attach great importance to. announced.
The detailed statement from the company on the subject was as follows: “Focusing on positioning itself even more strongly in the global arena in addition to its products and technologies, Audi is accelerating its preparations for Formula 1. Oliver Hoffmann, currently Head of Technical Development, has been appointed General Representative by the Board of Management and will be responsible for AUDI AG’s Formula 1 activities and the brand’s entry into this highest level of motorsport. This newly created role aims to manage three pillars of the company’s Formula 1 program: Audi plans to take over 100 percent of the famous Swiss racing team Sauber Holding AG. An agreement was reached on this matter with the current majority shareholder, Islero Investments AG. While Oliver Hoffmann will chair the shareholders’ committee of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, he will also be Chairman of the Board of Directors of all Sauber companies. The other two legs of the scope of work are the development of the power unit by Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Neuburg facility and the strategic management and activation of the program by AUDI AG. Thus, while ensuring the successful launch of the Formula 1 program, it is also aimed to make the Audi brand even stronger in the global arena and to increase close cooperation between motor sports and mass production.
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Accordingly, Oliver Hoffmann is leaving his position as Member of the Board of Directors of AUDI AG. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner will assume responsibility for the Technical Development Department in addition to his current responsibilities. The transformation of the Technical Development Department will continue and will focus on more efficient structures and clear areas of responsibility to prioritize products and technologies as defined by Audi, while shortening development times.
Another important appointment at Audi, within the framework of preparations to participate in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2026, was the appointment of Andreas Seidl as CEO of the Audi F1 Team. Apart from the Audi F1 project, Seidl will also be responsible for managing the Audi F1 Team. Seidl, who was involved in the management of important teams competing in Formula 1 and 24 Hours of Le Mans in his motor sports career, was serving as the CEO of the Sauber Group in 2023.
Hoffmann’s extensive experience in motorsport made him the right person at the right time. As Member of the Board of Management responsible for Technical Development and President of Audi Sport, he managed to achieve significant motorsport successes for the Audi brand. In addition to races such as GT2, GT3 and GT4, the Audi Motorsports team achieved international victories in the DTM and the all-electric Formula E World Championship, and won the general classification in 2023 in the Dakar Rally, which is considered one of the most challenging races in the world.
Providing information on the subject, Oliver Hoffmann said: “I would like to thank the Technical Development team for their excellent performance in recent years, and I am proud of the superior products that have emerged as a result of our hard work and which we will put on the roads in the coming months.
Motor sports, especially Formula 1, is my biggest passion. I believe that we will further accelerate our preparations for the launch in 2026 by bringing together areas of responsibility and taking over 100 percent of the Sauber Group. I am happy to welcome Andreas Seidl as Audi F1 Team CEO. He is exactly the right person for our ambitious plan. “He will make significant contributions to Audi’s Formula 1 project with his experience in leadership positions both on the manufacturer and Formula 1 team side.”