American billionaire Woody Johnson has entered the world of Formula 1 by acquiring a minority interest in the Aston Martin racing team. Johnson, who already owns the NFL franchise the New York Jets and holds a 43 percent stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace, is expanding his sports‑investment portfolio with this latest move. Johnson’s family enterprise, Johnson & Johnson, was valued at roughly $20.5 billion (£15.1 billion) as of June 2026, providing him with the financial muscle to pursue high‑profile opportunities in motorsport. While the exact size of his new holding in Aston Martin has not been disclosed, the deal will see him take a seat on the team’s board of directors as vice‑chairman, effective immediately.
His role will be primarily strategic, focusing on commercial growth rather than day‑to‑day team operations. Current team principal Lawrence Stroll remains the dominant shareholder, controlling 33 percent of the outfit. The remaining 67 percent is divided among a collection of private‑equity firms, sovereign wealth funds and other strategic investors, reflecting the broad appeal of the Aston Martin brand in the modern Formula 1 landscape. In a statement released by Aston Martin, the organization highlighted the significance of Johnson’s investment, noting that it underscores the team’s growing attractiveness during a period of unprecedented expansion for Formula 1, especially in the United States market.
The statement added that Johnson’s mandate will be to help accelerate the team’s commercial activities in America, while Stroll, as executive chairman and controlling shareholder, will continue to oversee the overall management and strategic direction of the operation. The timing of the investment coincides with a challenging phase for the team on the track. Aston Martin currently sit tenth in the Constructors’ Championship after a difficult first half of the season, a situation compounded by the start of a new power‑unit partnership with Honda.
Delays in the development of the 2026 car and Honda’s struggle to meet the new technical regulations have left the team playing catch‑up. Nevertheless, the squad introduced an aerodynamic upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and Honda has promised an engine enhancement for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, offering a glimmer of hope for improved performance. Johnson, who previously served as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, expressed his 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 storied heritage, as well as Lawrence Stroll’s strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit. I am thrilled to join forces with him and contribute to the team’s continued evolution, with the ambition of building an organisation capable of competing at the very highest level of the sport.
We also share a commitment to expanding the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1.” Beyond the boardroom, Johnson’s involvement is expected to boost the team’s profile among American audiences, a market that Formula 1 has been courting aggressively in recent years. His ownership of the New York Jets and Crystal Palace gives him a deep understanding of sports marketing and fan engagement, assets that could translate into new sponsorship deals, merchandise opportunities and media partnerships for Aston Martin. The Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of August 21‑23, will be the first major event where Johnson’s influence may be felt on the commercial side. The race weekend includes practice sessions, a sprint qualifying, the main Grand Prix and a host of supporting series such as the F1 Academy and Porsche Supercup.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming available via the NOW platform, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action without a long‑term contract. In summary, Woody Johnson’s acquisition of a minority stake in Aston Martin marks a notable expansion of his sports‑investment portfolio and adds a high‑profile American figure to the team’s leadership.
While his exact share size remains undisclosed, his appointment as vice‑chairman signals a clear focus on growing the team’s commercial footprint, particularly in the United States, while leaving day‑to‑day racing operations under the stewardship of Lawrence Stroll. The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for Aston Martin, as the team strives to rebound from a sluggish start to the season and to capitalize on new technical collaborations with Honda. With Johnson’s business acumen and transatlantic connections, the team hopes to accelerate its progress both on and off the track, aiming to climb the championship standings and deepen its appeal to a global fanbase.