Search

Promising Brazilian talent will drive alongside Nico Hülkenberg Mattia Binotto: “Ideal combination of experience and youth” Bortoleto: “One of the most exciting projects in motorsport” The driver pairing for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 has been set. One of the most promising talents for the future will represent the four rings in the pinnacle of motorsport: Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (20) will drive alongside German Nico Hülkenberg (37) for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber next year, which will transform into the Audi F1 factory team in 2026. The experienced Hülkenberg, who was confirmed in April, and the promising F1 rookie Bortoleto form a well-matched driver pairing for Audi’s Formula 1 project. Hailing from São Paulo, Bortoleto made a strong impression in 2023 by dominating his debut season and winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship. He is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings. His career began at the age of six in karting, and by twelve, he had moved to Europe with his family to pursue his Formula 1 dream. Joining the future Audi F1 factory team now gives Bortoleto the opportunity to show his talent at the highest level of motorsport. The team already confirmed German driver Nico Hülkenberg for the upcoming season back in April. With a balanced mix of experience and youth, the team is preparing for the transition to the Audi F1 factory team in 2026. Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG: “We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers immediately making an impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.” Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport AG: “Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi.

With the recent announcement of Gabriel Bortoleto (20) who will race alongside Nico Hülkenberg (37), the program has taken the next important step. The announcement of the complete takeover of Sauber in March and the appointment of Mattia Binotto as CTO and COO of the project and Jonathan Wheatley as team principal from the middle of next year are expressions of the determination of the Audi brand. The investment will add to a list of important milestones in the near future. Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG: “The investment by QIA reflects the trust and confidence the Audi F1 Project has already garnered, underscoring unwavering commitment of Audi to the initiative. This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy. QIA’s involvement further energizes the dedicated efforts at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities as they work towards the entry of Audi in 2026.” Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA: “Audi is a premium partner of choice with a rich motorsport legacy. As a long-standing investor in the Volkswagen Group, we believe in Audi’s vision and direction when entering Formula 1 and our investment will support the realization of this goal. QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.” The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Media Contacts: Audi F1 Project Guido Stalmann | guido.stalmann@f1project.audi | +49 152 588 339 31 Sauber Motorsport AG Florian Büngener | florian.buengener@sauber-group.com | +41 76 321 09 86 Qatar Investment Authority QIA Media | media@qia.qa

Hülkenberg to compete for Audi in Formula 1 from 2026 Andreas Seidl: “Nico’s determination and desire will help us move forward” The course for Audi’s Formula 1 project continues to be set. Following the announcement of the complete takeover of the Sauber Group to accelerate preparations for the brand’s entry into F1, the first driver has now been confirmed: Nico Hülkenberg has signed a multi-year contract with Sauber and will start for the Audi factory team in 2026. He will be driving for Sauber as early as 2025 and accompany the transformation to the factory team, as the Swiss company announced today. With his experience of more than 200 F1 races, the German will make an important contribution to the development phase of Audi’s future team: “The signing of Nico is the next milestone for Audi’s Formula 1 project. With his speed, his experience and his dedicated teamwork, he will make an important contribution to Audi’s entry in 2026 as early as next year,” says Andreas Seidl, CEO of the future Audi F1 factory team. “Right from the start, there was great mutual interest in tackling a project of this uniqueness together. Nico is a strong personality, his determination and desire on a professional and personal level will help us to make progress both in the development of the car and in building up the team.” Nico Hülkenberg says: “The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it’s a unique opportunity. To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honor for me.” The appointment of Nico Hülkenberg follows the plan announced in March to take over Sauber completely and the appointment of Oliver Hoffmann as General Representative of the Board of Management of Audi for the Formula 1 commitment.

Race results 1 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro), 176 laps 2 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) +13.424s 3 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) –1 lap 4 Albuquerque/Bonanomi/Rast (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) –2 laps 5 Conway/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) –3 laps 6 Hülkenberg/Bamber/Tandy (Porsche) –3 laps 7 di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) –8 laps 8 Davidson/Buemi (Toyota) –14 laps 9 Dolan/Evans/Tincknell (Nissan) –15 laps 10 Yacaman/Derani/Gonzalez (Ligier) –16 laps – End –

Qualifying results 1 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) 1m 54.767s 2 Hülkenberg/Bamber/Tandy (Porsche) 1m 55.025s 3 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) 1m 55.284s 4 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 55.540s 5 di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 56.541s 6 Davidson/Buemi/Nakajima (Toyota) 1m 57.487s 7 Conway/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) 1m 57.929s 8 Albuquerque/Bonanomi/Rast (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 58.000s 9 Trummer/Liuzzi/Klien (CLM-AER) 2m 07.286s 10 Rusinov/Canal/Bird (Ligier-Nissan) 2m 07.761s – End –

Qualifying 1 results: 1 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) 3m 16.887s 2 Bernhard/Webber/Hartley (Porsche) 3m 17.767s 3 Hülkenberg/Bamber/Tandy (Porsche) 3m 19.297s 4 di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m19.866s 5 Albuquerque/Bonanomi/Rast (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m 21.081s 6 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m 21.839s 7 Wurz/Sarrazin/Conway (Toyota) 3m 23.543s 8 Davidson/Buemi/Nakajima (Toyota) 3m 23.767s 9 Prost/Heidfeld/Beche (Rebellion-AER) 3m 26.874s 10 Imperatori/Kraihamer/Abt (Rebellion-AER) 3m 31.933s

The starting grid at Le Mans 1 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) 3m 16.887s 2 Bernhard/Webber/Hartley (Porsche) 3m 17.767s 3 Hülkenberg/Bamber/Tandy (Porsche) 3m18.862s 4 di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m19.866s 5 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m 20.561s 6 Albuquerque/Bonanomi/Rast (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 3m 20.997s 7 Wurz/Sarrazin/Conway (Toyota) 3m 23.543s 8 Davidson/Buemi/Nakajima (Toyota) 3m 23.767s 9 Prost/Heidfeld/Beche (Rebellion-AER) 3m 26.874s 10 Imperatori/Kraihamer/Abt (Rebellion-AER) 3m 28.930s

Le Mans 24 Hours 2015 results 1 Hülkenberg/Bamber/Tandy (Porsche) 395 laps 2 Bernhard/Webber/Hartley (Porsche) - 1 lap 3 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) - 2 laps 4 di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) - 3 laps 5 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) - 4 laps 6 Wurz/Sarrazin/Conway (Toyota) - 8 laps 7 Albuquerque/Bonanomi/Rast (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) - 8 laps 8 Davidson/Buemi/Nakajima (Toyota) - 9 laps 9 Howson/Bradley/Lapierre (ORECA-Nissan) - 37 laps 10 Dolan/Evans/Turvey (Gibson-Nissan) - 37 laps