The Swiss-based Sauber team says it will open a UK base this year as owner Audi gears up for its official entry into Formula 1 in 2026.

In preparation for its relaunch as the Audi F1 team next year, Sauber will open a base in the United Kingdom in 2025.

Audi F1 announce UK base plans in major boost for project. The close-knit nature of Formula 1 bases mean that the likes of Sauber found it more difficult to entice senior figures

That year will see Audi join the grid, as the legendary manufacturer takes over the Sauber operation to become the latest works team on the grid. On Tuesday, Sauber announced the latest major step in that transition, the establishment of a new technical center in England, in the region known as “Motorsport Valley.”

Audi have announced that they will establish a motorsport technology centre in the UK ahead of their Formula 1 entry next year. Sauber, who are transitioning to Audi for 2026, have confirmed that potential F1 hub spots in the UK – in the country’s ‘motorsport valley’ around Bicester,

Gabriel Bortoleto steps up to Formula 1 after back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2, both achieved as a rookie. Bortoleto, part of Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management stable, was a McLaren young driver but was released from the team in order to join Sauber.

Sauber will set up a facility in the UK ahead of Audi's F1 arrival. Sauber are set to open a base in the UK this year ahead of Audi’s arrival into F1 in 2026. The Swiss-based outfit will morph into the Audi F1 factory team next season when the German car giant officially enters the world championship.

Sauber is opening a new Formula 1 facility in a third country to try and improve its fortunes. There’s a very specific aim behind all this, while also raising intriguing new parallels with its rival midfield team,

The F1 team is to open a UK base to help it attract the best talent from ‘motorsport valley’ to boost Audi’s arrival in 2026.