Audi have reaffirmed their “long-term commitment” to F1 after fellow🍃 manufacturer Renault axed their engine project.

Renault have abandoned their power unit programme for 2026, becoming a customer team for wꦉhen the new engine rules are introduced.

Even though F1 is losing R🌸enault, they’re welcoming Red Bull-Ford, Audi and the return of Honda.

It’s been widely speculated 𒉰that Audi are behind the likes of Me♏rcedes and Ferrari with the development of their 2026 F1 power unit.

However, A♏udi CEO Gernot Dollner has insisted Renault’s decision to abandon their engine project will have no impact on the German giant’s plans.

He said when 𒐪asked about Renault: “No, that was not part of t♉he discussion.”

“Audi has a long-term commitment to Formula 1,” Dollner added. “Earlier this year, the supervisory boards of AG and Audi took the decision to completely get co𝓰ntrol of the Sauber shares.

“And so we will be as of 1st January 2025 100 per cent in💜 charꦿge of Sauber.

“In 2025 that will happen, and myself being now chairman of Sauber, of the board of directors of S🎃auber Motorsport, means that I also will personally involve myself into our Formula 1 project more intensively.”

Sauber have endured a miserable campaign in 2024, failing to score a single point in 18ꦏ rounds so far.

Dollner is confident with the signings of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley, the projec💞t has the right individuals at the helm to make it a success.

“I’m really happy that we found a strong, strong management for🀅 𝔉our Formula 1 project, with Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley.

“With a strong dual leadership teamꦓ, one taking care of the operations on corporate with a project with a car.

“And the other one handling our operations on the racetrack and being the﷽ spokesperson, we believe that we found a perfect solution for our future operations.”