Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly in talks over providing minority investment in the Audi Formula One team. The fund is hoping to expand its presence in motorsport and could strike an agreement with Audi ahead of the manufacturer’s 2026 entry on the grid.

Audi only recently completed the purchase of the Sauber racing team. However, the value of the team has already soared and Audi are set to cash in.

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund already invests in Volkswagen and Porsche but it has reportedly been in talks with Audi for some time. According to German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the fund wants to acquire a minority stake in the Audi F1 team and could even provide lucrative sponsorship opportunities.

What percentage of Audi the fund is willing to purchase remains unclear. However, it is claimed that the manufacturer’s bosses are keen to retain overall control and want to be the main decision-makers.

The report states that Audi will use the money to invest in their Hinwil base. It could aid an increase in personnel and facilities to prepare the team for its F1 debut in 2026.

Audi insisted that the team was not for sale but did not deny that a minority stake could be sold. A spokesperson told Auto Motor und Sport: “We do not participate in speculation. The team is not for sale.”

A purchase of Sauber was completed in March with Andreas Seidl confirmed as Audi’s F1 team CEO. He said at the time: “[I] am looking forward to leading Audi into Formula One together with a highly motivated team as CEO of the Audi F1 Team. We have a clear roadmap for how we want to become competitive in Hinwil as well as in Neuburg (Audi’s F1 Power Unit facility).

“We have ambitious goals. Realisation of them is in progress and will be further accelerated through the complete takeover of Sauber by AUDI AG.”

The report adds that Audi could reap the benefits of Qatari money, with potential for a lucrative sponsorship agreement. Fans are already familiar with seeing the branding of Qatar Airways at numerous events.

F1 teams have benefitted from the soaring popularity of the sport. In 2023, Alpine announced a 24 per cent sale to an investment group including film icon Ryan Reynolds and golf star Rory McIlroy.