Sauber to Audi F1 Racing Suit Guide 2026 — A Team's Biggest Transition Yet

Few storylines in current Formula 1 carry as much long-term significance as this one: the team that spent years racing as Sauber, then Alfa Romeo, then Kick Sauber, has become Audi's official works team for 2026 — a major manufacturer entering the sport as a full constructor for the first time in years. If you're shopping our Sauber F1 Suits collection or the new Audi F1 Suits collection, here's the context that makes this transition worth understanding before you buy.

Why Is the Same Team Sold Under Two Different Names?

The Hinwil, Switzerland-based team has operated continuously since 1993, but has changed its commercial identity several times as ownership and title sponsorship shifted — Sauber, BMW Sauber, Sauber again, Alfa Romeo Racing, and most recently Kick Sauber, before the full transition to Audi. Each identity change reflected a different manufacturer or sponsor relationship, but the underlying team, factory, and staff have carried through the entire period. That's why we carry pieces under both the Sauber and Audi names in our catalog — they represent different chapters of the exact same constructor entry.

What Makes the Audi Move Different From Previous Rebrands?

Unlike earlier sponsor-driven name changes, Audi's arrival represents a full manufacturer entry — the same category of commitment Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault have made to the sport, rather than a title sponsorship arrangement. Audi is building its own power units for the sport's new engine regulations and has taken a majority ownership stake in the team itself, not just a branding deal. For fans, that distinction matters: Audi entering as a full works team signals a serious long-term investment, historically the kind of move that precedes a genuine championship push once the infrastructure catches up, similar to what Honda's works entries or Mercedes's full works program eventually delivered after initial rebuilding seasons.

Who's Driving for the Team Now?

• Nico Hülkenberg — one of the most experienced drivers on the current grid, having raced for multiple teams across a career spanning well over a decade without yet securing a podium finish, making him something of a fan-favorite specifically because supporters want to see that milestone finally happen with a manufacturer-backed team behind him.
• Gabriel Bortoleto — a highly-rated junior driver who arrived with strong junior formula credentials, representing the team's investment in developing talent alongside its new manufacturer backing.

Browse individual season listings across our F1 Racing Suits collection for both drivers.

Should I Buy the Sauber or Audi Version?

This depends entirely on which era you want to represent:

• Choose Sauber/Kick Sauber if you're commemorating Hülkenberg or Bortoleto's 2025 season specifically, or collecting the team's identity from before the manufacturer transition.
• Choose Audi if you want the current 2026 season and the start of what could become a much longer manufacturer story, or if you're buying as a gift for someone who wants to say they had Audi gear from its very first F1 season.

Both are legitimate collector choices, and several customers buying into this specific storyline choose to own one of each, treating them as a two-part set marking a genuine turning point in the team's history.

A Note on Older Sauber History

For collectors interested in the team's deeper past, our catalog includes pieces from well before the current era, including Sergio Pérez's early Sauber season and Felipe Nasr's 2016 rookie campaign. These older listings appeal specifically to fans tracking a driver's full career rather than the team's current identity, since Sauber has served as a launching point for a number of drivers who went on to bigger seats at other constructors.

Sizing and Fit

Both Sauber and Audi listings use the same centimeter-based kids sizing (110cm–158cm) through European adult sizing (2XS/3XS and up) as the rest of our catalog. Measure actual chest and height against each product page's chart rather than assuming from regular clothing size, and size up one step for kids expected to keep growing through the season.

Styling Notes

Audi's factory-backed identity leans toward a cleaner, more corporate-influenced livery compared to some grid teams' louder sponsor-heavy designs, which pairs well with simple black accessories from our Racing Gloves and Racing Shoes collections without competing for attention against the suit's own branding.

How This Compares to Other Manufacturer Stories on the Grid

Audi joins Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault as manufacturer-backed entries, a different category than customer or independently-owned teams like Williams or Haas. If you're drawn to manufacturer backing specifically, compare against our Ferrari Racing Suits collection or explore how other constructors have handled similar transitions over the sport's history.

Quick FAQ

Is Audi's power unit built in-house? Yes, as a full works entry Audi supplies its own engine under the current regulations rather than buying units from another manufacturer.
Will older Sauber listings stay available? Yes, older seasons remain in the catalog for collectors tracking specific drivers or eras.
Is the Audi suit's branding accurate for 2026? Yes, sponsor and livery detail is matched to the team's actual season-opening design.
Can I get a custom name instead of a driver's? Most listings support a blank or custom-name option at checkout.

The Bottom Line

This is one of the more historically significant transitions currently happening in Formula 1 — a decades-old independent team becoming the works entry for a major global manufacturer. Whether you're commemorating the final Sauber-era seasons or getting in on Audi's very first F1 chapter, browse the Sauber F1 Suits collection and the Audi F1 Suits collection to see everything currently available.