American billionaire Woody Johnson has taken a minority equity position in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, adding another high‑profile name to the sport’s growing list of investors. Johnson, who already owns the New York Jets of the National Football League and holds a 43 percent stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace, is extending his sports‑ownership portfolio into the world of motor racing.
Johnson’s family enterprise, Johnson & Johnson, was valued at roughly $20.5 billion (about £15.1 billion) as of June 2026, providing the financial firepower to support such a venture. While the precise size of his stake in Aston Martin has not been disclosed, the deal includes his appointment as vice‑chairman of the team’s board of directors, effective immediately.
In this capacity, Johnson will focus primarily on commercial development, especially in the United States, rather than day‑to‑day team operations. The current ownership structure of the Aston Martin F1 team sees Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll as the controlling shareholder, with a 33 percent personal holding.
The remaining 67 percent is distributed among a consortium of private‑equity firms, sovereign wealth funds and other strategic investors. Stroll, who also serves as executive chairman, will retain overall control of the organization, while Johnson’s involvement is expected to bring additional marketing clout and access to the American fan base.
A statement from Aston Martin highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: "The 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. Johnson's focus will be to support the team's commercial growth, especially in the United States, but he will not undertake any day‑to‑day management duties. As executive chairman and controlling shareholder, Lawrence Stroll will continue to manage and control the company." The comment underscores the team’s ambition to capitalise on Formula 1’s expanding popularity across the Atlantic, a market that has seen record‑breaking viewership and increased corporate sponsorship in recent years. Aston Martin currently sits in 10th place in the Constructors' Championship after a difficult first half of the season.
The team entered the year with a fresh power‑unit partnership with Honda, but a combination of delayed development on their 2026 car and Honda’s struggle to meet the new technical regulations left them playing catch‑up. Nevertheless, the squad introduced an aerodynamic upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix and Honda supplied an engine update for the Dutch Grand Prix, suggesting a potential upward trajectory. Johnson, who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.
He said, "During my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, I 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." The timing of Johnson’s entry coincides with a pivotal moment for Formula 1, as the sport pushes to solidify its foothold in the North American market.
The United States Grand Prix in Austin and the upcoming Las Vegas street race have drawn unprecedented crowds, and broadcasters have reported record‑high ratings. By leveraging his connections in the NFL and Premier League, Johnson could help Aston Martin tap into cross‑sport promotional opportunities, from joint ticket packages to co‑branded merchandise, thereby expanding the team’s commercial footprint. For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports will broadcast every session of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, including practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint race itself, and the main Grand Prix.
The schedule is as follows: **Friday, 21 August** - 11:00 am – Dutch GP Practice (session starts at 11:30 am) - 12:55 pm – F1 Academy Practice - 2:30 pm – Team Bosses' Press Conference - 3:00 pm – Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 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* (the sprint race) - 1:30 pm – F1 Academy Race 1 - 2:20 pm – Dutch GP Qualifying build‑up* - 3:00 pm – Dutch GP Qualifying* - 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: Dutch GP build‑up - 2:00 pm – THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX (main race) - 4:00 pm – Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction *All events marked with an asterisk will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers can stream the races via NOW, the streaming platform that offers Sky Sports without a long‑term contract, allowing fans to cancel at any time. The service recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Johnson’s involvement is expected to accelerate Aston Martin’s commercial initiatives, particularly in the United States, where the team aims to deepen its fan engagement through digital campaigns, merchandise collaborations, and possibly a dedicated US‑based hospitality program. While the on‑track performance remains a work in progress, the infusion of capital and the strategic partnership with a seasoned sports entrepreneur could provide the resources needed to close the gap to the front‑running teams. In summary, Woody Johnson’s acquisition of a minority stake and his appointment as vice‑chairman represent a significant vote of confidence in Aston Martin’s future. The move aligns with Formula 1’s broader strategy to grow its audience in America, and it offers the team a powerful ally with deep experience in sports branding and fan development.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how this partnership translates into both commercial success and competitive improvement on the track.