Audi reportedly in political turmoil even before it has officially entered F1

Recent reports claim that Audi is currently facing internal turmoil before their long-awaited entry into F1. The conflict is between Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl, and Chief Representative Oliver Hoffmann, as both are trying to sack each other out of their F1 project for 2026.

Back in August 2022, the German giants announced that they would be entering the single-seater motorsport in 2026, when the FIA will bring major changes in the technical regulations, including allowing teams to create new power units. They gradually acquired the Sauber team that ran under Alfa Romeo's name in the sport till 2023.

As 2026 inches closer, the Swiss-German team decided to bring a fresh driver lineup to commence their journey in the sport. On April 2024, they announced Nico Hulkenberg as their new upcoming driver who will join them in 2025. Though they are also trying to lock Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard is taking his time to consider all his options before making a decision.

A report from "AutoAction" claims Seidl is exerting pressure on Audi's Board of Directors to remove Hoffman and grant him full authority as Chief Representative while designating the role of team principal to Mike Krack.

While the German giants struggle to recruit competent racing drivers, it was reported that internal politics had already started to brew inside the team even before they entered F1.

The report claims that Hoffmann and Seidl were engaged in a conflict behind closed doors. According to AutoAction, some German reports claim that Hoffmann intends to fire Seidl and hire Aston Martin's current team principal Mike Krack in the team. Hoffmann also aims to the role of Chief Representative for the team and the CEO of Sauber Group.

Simultaneously, the same sources claim that Andreas Seidl also tried to hire young Liam Lawson, but since the Kiwi is dedicated to the Red Bull family, it is highly unlikely that he would move to Audi.

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Andreas Seidl is confident that Audi and Sauber will be ready for the 2026 F1 season

Andreas Seidl recently talked positively about the progress Sauber and Audi have made for the latter company to enter F1 in 2026. In an exclusive with F1.com before the Imola GP, Seidl claimed that the team is on track, both in the power unit and chassis front.

He explained that both car companies are working in tandem to reach the goals they have set for the 2026 F1 season. The Sauber CEO feels that the team will be ready with everything by the time 2026 arrives.

"We are on track, both in Neuburg on the Power Unit side and also for the plans we have in Hinwil. If I look at the progress we are making on the development side, hitting all the milestones we have set ourselves, I feel quite confident we will be ready in 2026,” Seidl said.