AUDI: FIRST SPONSOR DEAL IN FORMULA 1 - Motorsportsclicks

German manufacturer Audi has closed a deal with English bank Revolut, its first title sponsor going into their debut season in Formula 1 next year.

The Sauber F1 Team will be changing its name to Audi after the end of the 2025 season. Following the purchase of 100% of the Swiss brand in 2024, the Ingolstadt-based team possesses the power of the group from next year onwards.

Surprisingly, Audi will manufacture its own engine from its debut season, unlike Cadillac, whose engines will be provided by Ferrari for their first three seasons. Nevertheless, COO Mattia Binotto is not confident with the new regulations and admits it will take time to climb the grid, as they “Won’t have the best engine at the moment” stated the Swiss.

SPA, BELGIUM – JULY 25: Gabriel Bortoleto of Brazil and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber and Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber look on during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 25, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Clive Rose – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

However, the team is going into 2026 with a strong line-up. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have shown incredible speed so far, with the German scoring an unbelievable podium at Silverstone. For a team that finished 2024 hopeless of a progress in this regulations, they now sit 6th in the Constructors Standings with 43 points.

Whilst there is strong effort from team members to develop the project, Audi has closed a multi-milion dollar deal with English bank Revolut, being officially Audi’s first financial support. Earlier this year, Adidas also announced a partnership with the team as clothing provider. Audi is building its first resources in their pathway into Formula 1.