Woody Johnson Acquires Stake in Aston Martin F1 Team

American billionaire Woody Johnson has acquired a minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Johnson, who owns the NFL's New York Jets and holds a 43% stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace, will be appointed to the Aston Martin board of directors as vice-chairman. The exact size of his stake has not yet been disclosed.

Lawrence Stroll currently holds a 33% ownership of the team, with the remaining 67% distributed among various private equity firms, sovereign entities, and strategic investors.

An official statement from Aston Martin highlighted that the investment underscores the team's significant appeal and positive trajectory amidst Formula 1's substantial growth, particularly in the United States. Johnson's role will focus on supporting the team's commercial expansion, with a special emphasis on the U.S. market. He will not be involved in day-to-day management, which remains under the control of executive chairman and controlling shareholder Lawrence Stroll.

The Aston Martin F1 team is currently positioned 10th in the Constructors' Championship following a challenging first half of the season, compounded by their new partnership with Honda. Both a delayed start to their 2026 car development and Honda's struggles to meet the new power unit regulations have impacted their performance. However, the team introduced an upgrade in the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, and Honda is expected to bring an engine upgrade for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.

Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "During my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, I have developed a deep appreciation for Aston Martin's rich history, as well as Lawrence Stroll's strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit. I am excited to partner with him and contribute to the continued development of the team, with the ambition of building an organisation capable of competing at the very highest level of the sport. We also share a commitment to growing the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1."