Everything is going according to plan at Audi for its foray into the world of Formula 1. Led by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the brand with the four rings has now decided to strengthen the commitment to Formula 1 and accelerate the preparations for the start of the 2026 season.

The German automaker plans to take a 100 percent stake in the Sauber Group. Oliver Hoffmann is set to be the person responsible for the Audi Formula 1 programme overall as a General Representative. As CEO of the Audi F1 Team, Andreas Seidl will be responsible for the implementation of the F1 project as well as the management of the Audi F1 Team.

Leading The Dream

Oliver Hoffmann, currently heading the Technical Development division, will be made a General Representative by the Board of Management, and as a result will be responsible for implementing Audi AG’s Formula 1 commitment and entry into the top level of motorsport.

The newly created position will unite all three pillars of the Formula 1 programme: the stake in the storied Swiss racing team, development of the power unit by the Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Neuburg site, as well as the strategic steering and activation of the programme by Audi AG.

Hoffmann’s extensive experience in motorsport makes him the right man at the right time. As Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development and as Head of Audi Sport, he was able to achieve great motorsport successes for the brand with the four rings.

These include international wins and championships in customer racing, in DTM, and in the all-electric Formula E World Championship. Recently, Audi was the first manufacturer ever to win the famous and notorious Dakar Rally with an innovative electrified drivetrain. Preparations for the entry into Formula 1 in 2026 are in full swing.

Leading The Team

Andreas Seidl will become CEO of the Audi F1 Team, and thus the face of Audi’s racing team.

In preparation of its entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2026, Audi is filling another key role. As Audi F1 Team CEO, Andreas Seidl will be in charge of the implementation of the Audi F1 project as well as the Audi F1 Team. He will also be the face of the future Audi Formula 1 Team.

Born in Passau, Germany, Andreas Seidl began his motorsport career in BMW’s Formula 1 programme; he was also Director of Race Operations during his time there. As Team Principal, Seidl celebrated multiple world championships and three overall victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 2019 to 2022, Seidl was Team Principal of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, before taking over as CEO of Sauber Group in 2023.

“I thank Gernot Döllner and Oliver Hoffmann for their trust and am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula 1 together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team,” said Seidl. “We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg. We have ambitious goals. Realization of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by Audi AG.

(Images: Audi)