Billionaire Woody Johnson buys into Lawrence Stroll's Aston Martin F1 team as US market appetite grows

Lawrence Stroll has added one of America's most prominent sports billionaires to his Aston Martin Formula 1 ownership structure, with Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV acquiring a minority stake in the Silverstone-based team and joining its board of directors as vice chairman with immediate effect.

Johnson, 79, is best known as the owner of the NFL's New York Jets, a franchise he has held since 2000. He also holds a 43% stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace and previously served as US ambassador to the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2021 under President Donald Trump. He is additionally an heir to the Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, the global healthcare company founded by members of his family in the late 19th century.

The size and financial value of Johnson's stake have not been disclosed. Stroll will remain executive chairman and controlling shareholder of AMR GP, the private company that owns and operates the F1 team. Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium retains overall control, with investment firm Arctos Partners and Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey also holding minority positions.

Johnson will have no involvement in the day-to-day running of the team. His role will focus on helping Aston Martin pursue commercial opportunities, particularly in the United States, where Formula 1's popularity has surged following the sport's aggressive push into the American market through races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas.

"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," Johnson said in a statement. "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."

Stroll framed the investment as a strengthening of Aston Martin's commercial position ahead of what he described as the next phase of the team's competitive journey. "His experience, passion and investment further strengthen our position as we enter the next phase of our competitive journey," Stroll said.

The investment arrives during a turbulent period on track for Aston Martin. The team began a new works power unit partnership with Honda this season but has struggled in the opening half of the 2026 campaign, sitting 10th in the constructors' championship heading into the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend. An upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break is part of an ongoing development program, while Honda is bringing an updated power unit to Zandvoort.

Aston Martin said Johnson's sporting network and business connections would help create new commercial opportunities as F1 continues its expansion in the American market. "The investment further demonstrates the strong appeal and positive momentum of the team at a time of unprecedented growth for Formula One, particularly in the United States," the team said.

Johnson becomes the latest in a string of high-profile investors to take positions in F1 teams as the sport's commercial value has climbed sharply. Private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds and sports franchise owners have increasingly targeted F1 ownership stakes as the sport's American audience and global media rights values have expanded.