Time flies
It is not even three years until the long-awaited debut of Audi in Formula 1, but certainly the Four Rings brand has no intention of being unprepared when it is really time to land, for the first time in its legendary history, in the premier category of motorsport. The Ingolstadt brand has already taken some fundamental steps: the choice of a partner, identified in Sauber, which will effectively transform its factory in Hinwil into the headquarters of the new team, and the choice of a reference figure. In this case, the name is Andreas Seidl.
Andreas Seidl’s role
During the winter, the former Porsche manager left McLaren, where he was team principal, to become CEO of the Sauber group. This move was obviously made with the approval of Audi, which wants to be guided by the experienced German executive when it is time to enter the track concretely in a few years. The ‘German factor’ is very important for Audi and it is no coincidence that, unlike Mercedes, all Audi power units will be produced at the Neuberg site. Precisely for this reason, the Four Rings are trying to strengthen their workforce.
New employee onboarding
On the German giant’s website, a wide range of jobs, all related to the world of Formula 1, has been made public for which it is possible to apply. But, regarding Germany, rumors spread by the Swiss newspaper Blick report on what would be Audi’s first choice regarding the role of main driver for the 2026 Formula One championship.
Andreas Seidl would like to recall Sebastian Vettel. The four-time world champion has, however, as known, hung up his helmet at the end of last year and does not seem to want to make a comeback at this moment.
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Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel, key figures on the list
According to the Swiss newspaper, if the discussions with Sebastian Vettel were not to succeed, Andreas Seidl would also have a plan B on the table. It would be Carlos Sainz, the Spanish driver of Scuderia Ferrari, closely linked to the German manager, who revitalized his career during their common membership in McLaren. The Sainz family, moreover, has been very close to the Audi world for years since Carlos senior is a driver of the Four Rings, with whom he has been chasing success in the Dakar competition in recent years, without luck for the moment.
Carlos Sainz junior’s current contract with the Maranello team will expire at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
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