Woody Johnson buys minority stake in Aston Martin F1, joins board as vice chairman
NXTbets Pro | Published On: August 20, 2026
Johnson buys stake
Woody Johnson, the New York Jets owner, has bought a minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team and will join the board as vice chairman immediately. The size of his investment was not disclosed, and he will not have a day-to-day management role. Aston Martin said Johnson will help drive commercial growth, with the United States a key target for the team and for Formula 1 as a whole. Lawrence Stroll remains executive chairman and controlling shareholder, so the new deal adds influence without changing who sits at the top of the organization. Johnson also brings a long sports and business background, and Aston Martin is counting on that profile as it tries to build a stronger presence off the track while keeping its competition program moving.
Aston Martin plans
Aston Martin sits 10th in the Constructors’ Championship after a difficult start to the season, and the team is still searching for a sharper edge in performance. It brought an upgrade to the Hungarian Grand Prix, which showed it is pushing to improve the car rather than waiting for a later reset. Honda has an engine upgrade scheduled for the Dutch Grand Prix, giving Aston Martin another chance to add speed and reliability as the season develops. Johnson’s arrival fits that push. The team wants more commercial reach in the United States, but it also needs better results on race weekends to climb out of the lower half of the standings. The new board role gives Aston Martin another backer with outside experience while the team works through a rough stretch on track.
Johnson’s sports ties
Johnson already has deep ties to sports on both sides of the Atlantic. He owns the Jets and holds a 43% stake in Crystal Palace, giving him a presence in the NFL and English soccer. He is also an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and has spent time in public service as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. Those roles have put him around major brands, international markets and top-level sports properties. Johnson said he wants to help Aston Martin compete at the highest level and grow its U.S. fanbase. Stroll said Johnson’s experience and investment strengthen the team as it enters its next phase. For Aston Martin, the deal brings another influential name into the fold while it tries to build a stronger business and a better car at the same time.
