New York Jets owner Woody Johnson buys minority stake in Aston Martin F1 team

Robert Wood Johnson — known as Woody — has purchased a minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team and joined its board of directors as vice chairman, the Silverstone-based outfit announced.

Johnson, 79, is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical empire and owner of the New York Jets NFL franchise. He also acquired a major stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace last year, making the Aston Martin investment his latest move into elite sport ownership.

Team owner Lawrence Stroll brought Johnson in specifically to accelerate the team’s commercial expansion in the United States, a market that has grown significantly in importance for Formula 1 in recent years. Aston Martin was clear that Johnson will not be involved in the team’s day-to-day sporting operations.

Johnson is a long-standing donor to US president Donald Trump and served as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021 following Trump’s first election victory.

“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,” Johnson said. “We also share a commitment to growing the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1.”

Stroll welcomed the investment as the team enters what he described as the next phase of its competitive journey. “His experience, passion and investment further strengthen our position,” Stroll said. “His deep appreciation for our brand, combined with his commitment to innovation and commercial opportunity, makes him an ideal partner as we look to the future.”