Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has acquired a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future Audi Formula 1 team.

QIA, which already holds a stake in Audi's parent company Volkswagen Group, will provide substantial capital to boost the team's infrastructure and recruitment efforts. The investment will be finalized by Q2 2025, following Audi's complete takeover of Sauber in January, with QIA securing a board position.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized that this investment demonstrates confidence in the F1 project and will accelerate the team's development at both Hinwil and Neuburg facilities ahead of Audi's 2026 entry. While the project wasn't dependent on external investment, partnering with QIA aligns with Audi's strategy to establish itself as a top-tier team.

Döllner clarified that while manufacturers could independently operate in F1, partnering with strong investors has proven successful for many teams. The collaboration with QIA follows Audi's strategic plan, which includes recent appointments of key personnel and the complete acquisition of Sauber.

The announcement comes amid news of potential General Motors entry involving billionaire Mark Walter, though no additional partners have been confirmed for that venture. Audi maintains the option to bring in more partners but is currently focused on maximizing the opportunities presented by the QIA partnership.

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