BREAKING: Audi BOMBSHELL drops with F1 chief set to exit role in.

Audi Bombshell: Sauber’s Managing Director Alessandro Alunni Bravi to Exit Ahead of 2026 Takeover

A significant shake-up has hit Formula 1, with Audi’s future Sauber team set to lose a key figure ahead of their 2026 takeover. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the managing director and team representative of Sauber, has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the end of January 2025, according to an official team statement.

Sauber, currently competing in F1 under the Alfa Romeo banner, will transition into Audi’s official works team in 2026, marking the German manufacturer’s highly anticipated return to the sport. Audi’s entry is set to coincide with the new set of F1 power unit regulations, which will emphasize sustainability, featuring increased electrical power and a greater focus on hybrid technology.

However, as the team prepares for this monumental shift, they face one more year in their current setup. Sauber endured a challenging 2024 season, finishing last in the constructors’ championship, and the road ahead is steep. Their primary task for 2025 will be to climb back up the grid before Audi’s arrival.

Alunni Bravi, a pivotal figure within Sauber since 2017, will not be part of the team’s leadership as it transitions into Audi’s ownership. The Italian has been a driving force behind the scenes, initially joining the team as general counsel and a board member. In 2022, he was promoted to the role of managing director, and in 2023, he took on the additional responsibilities of team representative. His exit marks the end of an eight-year tenure with Sauber, during which he witnessed and influenced numerous changes within the organization.

In his official statement, Alunni Bravi expressed his emotions over leaving the team and reflected on the challenges and triumphs Sauber experienced during his time there. “It is an emotional time as my journey with Sauber reaches its end,” he said. “Since I joined in 2017, I have seen this team grow and change beyond what anyone could have imagined. This organisation went through exciting and difficult times alike, all without ever losing its spirit and commitment. That is something I find inspiring, and I was proud to represent the team as its public face over the last two years.”

Alunni Bravi also took the time to thank those who supported him during his tenure, singling out Finn Rausing, the Swedish billionaire who co-owns Sauber, along with the entire Sauber and Audi teams. “As I move on to a new project, I want to thank Finn Rausing, all those who put so much trust and faith in me at Sauber and Audi, and all the colleagues I’ve worked with for the last eight years. This team is a family and has a bright future ahead,” he added.

His departure leaves Sauber in a critical phase as the team aims to improve its performance on track before Audi officially enters the sport. The 2025 season will be a pivotal year for Sauber, as they attempt to climb out of the basement of the constructors’ standings and demonstrate that they are capable of competing at a higher level when Audi arrives.

Audi’s 2026 arrival is expected to shake up the Formula 1 landscape. The German manufacturer will not only take over Sauber’s chassis operation but also become a power unit supplier as part of F1’s new engine regulations. These regulations are designed to increase the hybrid element of F1 cars, with engines featuring more electrical power and sustainable fuels, further pushing the sport towards its goal of carbon neutrality.

As for Alunni Bravi, he has yet to announce his next career move, but his departure from Sauber marks the end of an era for the Swiss-based team, which now turns its focus towards preparing for the future with Audi at the helm. With Sauber’s leadership facing changes, the coming months will be crucial in determining how the team navigates its final season before the Audi transformation begins.