Audi has a strong commitment to Formula 1, says Sauber representative By Reuters

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Audi has a strong commitment to Formula 1, but is keeping a low profile because of future partner Sauber’s current relationship with Alfa Romeo, said team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi.

Last year, Audi bought a minority stake in the Swiss Sauber Group, which will compete until the end of the season under the Alfa Romeo brand name, from Stellantis (NYSE:), with Ferrari engines.

Sauber is set to become Audi’s team from 2026, but reports in Germany suggested the manufacturer would be reviewing those plans.

The driving force behind the deal was then-Audi boss Markus Duesmann, who was replaced at the beginning of September by Gernot Doellner.

“Audi has a strong commitment to Formula 1 and, of course, together with Sauber,” Alunni Bravi told reporters at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

“The commitment comes from a decision not only by the Audi board, but also by the Audi advisory board and the Audi/Volkswagen Supervisory Board. So it’s a group decision and the commitment is there.”

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London)