Freshfields advises QIA on its investment in Audi’s F1 project

Global law firm Freshfields has advised Qatar Investment Authority (‘QIA’), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, on its acquisition of a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future Formula 1 factory team of German car manufacturer Audi AG.

With this strategic investment, QIA will enter the project as a long-term investor and partner. QIA's investment will provide a substantial capital injection and further pave the way for increasing infrastructure and team buildout, positioning the team for long-term success in the Formula 1.

QIA was established in 2005 to protect and grow Qatar’s financial assets, and to help diversify the economy. It is a global investment organization with investments spanning all major global markets, asset classes, sectors and geographies. Audi will officially enter Formula 1 with a factory team with the change of the technical regulations in 2026.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.​

The Freshfields team was led by Partner Ralph Kogge (Corporate/M&A, Munich) and also included:

• Partners: Helmut Bergmann (Antitrust & Competition, Berlin), Giles Pratt (Commercial/IP/IT, London), Stephen Hewes (Corporate/M&A, London)
• Counsel: Judit Gajdics (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Mariusz Motyka-Mojkowski (Antitrust & Competition, Berlin), Martin Rehberg (Tax, Munich)
• Principal Associates: Sandra Jung (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Moritz Lehmann (Tax, Munich)
• Associates: Charlotte Schings (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Caroline Guichoux, Christopher Sickinger (both Antitrust & Competition, Berlin), Tochukwu Egenti, Jaymie Younger (both Commercial/IP/IT, London)
• Senior Transaction Lawyer: Franz Dahl (Hamburg)

Inhouse the transaction was advised by Michael Schweppe.