A new driver line-up will arrive next season in the form of veteran Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.

Audi's Formula 1 venture will be backed by the Qatar Investment Authority giving the Swiss team much needed financial backing ahead of it's debut in 2026.

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the Gulf country's estimated $510 billion sovereign wealth fund, has signed binding agreements to buy a significant minority stake in Audi's Formula 1 team, the fund and carmaker said on Friday.

A statement from the German car company said the Gulf state would buy a “significant minority” in the team, which is entering F1 in 2026. The deal will be completed next year, after Audi has taken full ownership of the Sauber team that is the basis for its entry.

The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar is acquiring a “significant minority stake” in what will become Audi's works Formula 1 team from 2026, in a deal announced Friday ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. A joint statement said the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” and provide “a substantial capital injection” that will help the team expand its infrastructure.

The Qatar Investment Authority is buying a stake in the Audi Formula One racing team, joining other Gulf sovereign funds who have been channeling their vast wealth into global sports franchises.

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is taking a "substantial minority share" of Sauber Holding AG, the future Formula One factory team of Audi, the German carmaker said in a statement on Friday. "QIA’s investment will provide a substantial capital injection and pave the way for increasing infrastructure and team buildout,

Audi has sold a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Gernot Döllner, the Audi boss, insists this deal will only help accelerate the Formula 1 project.