Audi is determined to join Formula 1 and position itself "at the very front" of the competition, according to Gernot Dollner, CEO of the Volkswagen-owned German automotive giant.
This year, Audi made surprise headlines in the F1 community by upgrading its initial strategy to purchase 75 percent of Swiss team Sauber - taking full control instead.
This move came amid rumors that Audi might actually withdraw its commitment to enter Formula 1 with the upcoming rule changes starting in 2026.
"We discussed it intensively and decided to significantly accelerate our involvement in Formula 1," Dollner shared with Auto Motor und Sport in Germany.
Dollner emphasized that Audi's goal is not merely to participate but to excel in F1.
"With the expertise of Oliver Hoffmann, who has significantly driven the project forward since the beginning, we are confident that we can tackle this challenge and be at the forefront," he stated.
"It will be a hard road, but Formula 1 is the most important motorsport platform in the world and we will do everything we can to be successful there."
German driver Nico Hulkenberg, currently with Haas, has been recruited by Audi for this venture and will start racing for Sauber next year, before the team is rebranded the following season.
Hulkenberg revealed that besides Haas and Audi, another team had shown interest in him for 2025. So why choose Audi?
"The timing of the whole project," he responded. "When Audi launches in 2026, they will have had four years to prepare," he explained to Sport Bild.
"And this will be one of the most radical rule changes in the history of Formula 1, both on the car and aerodynamics side as well as the engine side."
"The cards will be reshuffled and Red Bull's lead will be gone," Hulkenberg anticipated. "With the lead time, the power of Audi and the resources that a factory team brings with it, there is definitely a chance of success."
Yet, Hulkenberg acknowledged the uncertainties of such a new endeavor.
"It's very difficult to bet on the future with such a new project," he cautioned. "The fact that such a big brand is behind it doesn't mean that everything will work out."
"But I do think that all the prerequisites are there to be competitive as quickly as possible."
CEO Dollner also made his stance clear: "For me, there are only two types of involvement in Formula 1 - not at all or with the aim of being at the front. At the very front."
