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.

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.”

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.

Audi has taken a major step in its entry into Formula One (F1) after a new technical centre was announced in the UK. Sauber, who will become the Audi Factory Team in 2026, announced the new facility ahead of the 2025 season.

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,

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