Peter Sauber
Founder
Created the Hinwil team and kept it competitive as an independent for decades.
New / Returning
Audi
A manufacturer project built from the ground up.
Germany · Chassis operations in Hinwil, Switzerland; power unit work in Neuburg, Germany.
The Story
The Hinwil factory entered Formula 1 as Sauber in 1993, an independent Swiss team founded by Peter Sauber that built a reputation for punching above its budget.
It raced as BMW Sauber between 2006 and 2009, taking its only Grand Prix victory with Robert Kubica in Canada in 2008, and later returned to independent status.
Audi acquired the operation and took over as a full works entry from 2026, developing its own power unit in Neuburg alongside the chassis programme in Switzerland.
Legendary Figures
Robert Kubica
Driver, 2006–2009
Delivered the team's only Grand Prix win at Montreal in 2008.
Kimi Räikkönen
Driver, 2001, 2019–2021
Made his F1 debut with Sauber and returned to finish his career there.
Mattia Binotto
Head of the Audi F1 project
Leads the technical and operational build-up of the works programme.
Key Moments
1993
Sauber enters F1
The Hinwil team joined the grid as a Swiss independent.
2006
BMW takeover
The team became a manufacturer entry for the first time.
2008
Canadian Grand Prix win
Kubica led a one-two, the team's only victory.
2010
Return to independence
BMW left and the team continued under the Sauber name.
2026
Audi works entry
A full manufacturer programme with its own power unit.
2026 Line-up
Nico Hulkenberg
German
A highly experienced German driver leading the works project's first season.
Gabriel Bortoleto
Brazilian
A Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion who reached F1 with the team in 2025.
Team Facts
- Chassis base
- Hinwil, Switzerland
- Power unit base
- Neuburg an der Donau, Germany
- Team lineage
- Sauber, F1 entrant since 1993
- Grand Prix wins
- 1 (Canada 2008, as BMW Sauber)