American billionaire Woody Johnson has entered the world of Formula 1 by acquiring a minority shareholding in the Aston Martin racing team. Johnson, who already owns the NFL franchise the New York Jets and holds a 43 percent interest in Premier League club Crystal Palace, is adding motorsport to his diverse portfolio of sports investments. Johnson's family enterprise, Johnson & Johnson, was valued at roughly $20.5 billion (about £15.1 billion) in June 2026, underscoring the financial firepower he brings to the partnership.
While the precise size of his stake in Aston Martin has not been disclosed, the deal grants him a seat on the team’s board of directors as vice‑chairman, effective immediately. He will work alongside existing owners but will not be involved in the day‑to‑day operational management of the outfit. Current team principal Lawrence Stroll retains a 33 percent ownership position, while the remaining 67 percent is spread across a collection of high‑profile private‑equity houses, sovereign wealth funds and strategic investors.
In a statement released by Aston Martin, the club highlighted that Johnson’s investment "further demonstrates the strong appeal and positive momentum of the team at a time of unprecedented growth for Formula 1, particularly in the United States." The statement went on to explain that Johnson’s primary remit will be to help accelerate the commercial expansion of the team, especially across the American market. Stroll, who serves as executive chairman and controlling shareholder, will continue to steer the strategic direction and retain ultimate decision‑making authority. Aston Martin currently sit tenth in the Constructors’ Championship after a challenging first half of the 2024 season. The team is navigating the early stages of a new power‑unit partnership with Honda, a collaboration that has encountered teething problems.
Delays in the development of the 2026 car, combined with Honda’s struggle to meet the ambitious performance targets set by the revised power‑unit regulations, have left the squad playing catch‑up. Despite these setbacks, the team showed signs of progress at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, where they introduced an aerodynamic upgrade that yielded modest gains.
Honda, meanwhile, is expected to roll out an engine enhancement for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, offering a potential boost to the car’s reliability and outright speed. Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, recalling his tenure as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. "During my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, I developed a deep appreciation for Aston Martin's rich heritage, as well as Lawrence Stroll's strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit," he said.
"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." He added that both he and Stroll share a common goal of expanding the sport’s fan base in the United States. "We also share a commitment to growing the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1," Johnson noted.
The Dutch Grand Prix weekend, which marks the return of Formula 1 after the summer hiatus, will feature a sprint format across three days. The schedule includes practice sessions, a sprint qualifying, and the main Grand Prix, all of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract, with the option to cancel at any time. Detailed timing for the Dutch weekend is as follows: **Friday, 21 August** - 11:00 am – Dutch GP Practice (official start 11:30 am) - 12:55 pm – F1 Academy Practice - 2:30 pm – Team Bosses' Press Conference - 3:00 pm – Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying (official start 3:30 pm) **Saturday, 22 August** - 8:15 am – F1 Academy Qualifying - 10:00 am – Dutch GP Sprint build‑up - 11:00 am – Dutch GP Sprint (race) - 1:30 pm – F1 Academy Race 1 - 2:20 pm – Dutch GP Qualifying build‑up - 3:00 pm – Dutch GP Qualifying (race) - 5:00 pm – Porsche Supercup Race 1 **Sunday, 23 August** - 9:35 am – F1 Academy Race 2 - 10:50 am – Porsche Supercup Race 2 - 12:30 pm – Grand Prix Sunday build‑up - 2:00 pm – The Dutch Grand Prix (main race) - 4:00 pm – Chequered Flag and post‑race reaction All sessions will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Beyond the immediate race weekend, Johnson’s involvement is expected to open new commercial doors for Aston Martin, leveraging his extensive network in American sports and entertainment. Potential avenues include co‑branding opportunities with the New York Jets, cross‑promotional campaigns with Crystal Palace, and partnerships with US‑based sponsors seeking exposure on a global motorsport platform.
In the broader context, Johnson’s entry reflects a growing trend of high‑net‑worth individuals and conglomerates investing in Formula 1 as the sport expands its footprint in North America. The recent success of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the addition of a Miami race, and the launch of the Las Vegas Grand Prix have all contributed to a surge in American interest, making the market especially attractive for investors looking to capitalize on the sport’s rising popularity. As the 2024 season progresses, all eyes will be on how the Aston Martin‑Honda partnership evolves and whether Johnson’s strategic input can accelerate the team’s climb up the grid. With the Dutch Grand Prix serving as a pivotal test of the new upgrades, the next few races could set the tone for the remainder of the year and shape the narrative for the ambitious 2026 regulations overhaul.
For fans eager to follow every on‑track action, Sky Sports will provide comprehensive coverage, and the NOW streaming service offers a flexible way to watch without a long‑term commitment. The combination of fresh investment, technical development, and a revitalised sprint format promises an exciting chapter for Aston Martin and Formula 1 alike.