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.