Christian Horner reveals Red Bull almost got sold to Audi nine years ago

Christian Horner admitted that Red Bull was about to be sold to Audi few years ago.

Christian Horner reveals Red Bull almost got sold to Audi nine years ago

Christian Horner [L], Audi F1 showcar [R] (images via IMAGO)

Red Bull has become a dominant force in Formula 1. The Austrian team is having a historic run this season with Max Verstappen, having bagged in both championships. However, the Milton Keynes-based team went through a difficult period during the start of the Turbo Hybrid era. Now, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has admitted that Audi came close to buying the team altogether.

Horner recalled the 2014 season when Red Bull was far behind Mercedes due to its Renault power units. Subsequently, Sebastian Vettel left Milton Keynes and joined Ferrari. This led to tensions escalating with Red Bull and its F1 team. So much so, that even owners of the energy drinks giant were ready to sell off the team to German auto giant Audi.

We lost Vettel, even the owners were saying maybe we’ll sell the team, we’ll sell to Audi.

Christian Horner said on the Eff Won Podcast (H&T: @RBR_Daily/X)

However, Christian Horner mentioned that the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal in 2015 put an end to this deal. The scandal forced all Volkswagen brands including Audi to pull the plug on all motorsport activities that involved Internal Combustion Engines. This in turn prevented Red Bull Racing from becoming Audi’s F1 team nine years ago.

So then thankfully Dieselgate (in 2015) came along and it stopped that deal. But we came that close to being out being Audi.

Red Bull now has its destiny in its own hands

Red Bull might have been forced to consider selling out to a carmaker nine years ago. However, things have drastically changed since. The Austrian team established its own power units division for 2026 after Honda had initially planned to exit the sport in 2021. This allowed Christian Horner’s team to reject Porsche’s offer for a majority stake in 2022.

Red Bull Ford Powertrains HQ (image via Autosport)
Red Bull Ford Powertrains HQ (image via Autosport)

Subsequently, the Milton Keynes-based team has joined forces with Ford on its own terms for 2026. The American carmaker is expected to contribute towards the Hybrid elements of the power units. As such, the 2026 Red Bull power units will be branded as Red Bull Ford Power trains. On the other hand, Audi is joining the 2026 grid after acquiring the Sauber F1 team.

Certainly, Red Bull will not be considering a sale of its team for the foreseeable future. The Milton Keynes-based team has been in the prime position on the grid since the start of the ground-effect era in F1. However, it remains to be seen if the team’s first-ever in-house F1 power units can bring in decent results in 2026.

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