Audi plan to have a development driver in place by the end of this year despite still being a few seasons away from their Formula 1 entry.
The German car manufacturer is set to enter the sport in 2026, ready for when F1's new engine regulations come into force. Audi's link-up with Sauber has already been confirmed, which means the Alfa Romeo branding will disappear from the grid.
So Audi's official entry is still a few years away but, in order to have a smooth transition, it is expected the carmaker will work behind the scenes with Sauber much earlier. The signing of Andreas Seidl as chief executive, much earlier than originally planned, is an example of that partnership being put into motion.
