Billionaire Lawrence Stroll is currently in preliminary discussions to offload another minority share of his Aston Martin Formula One team, aiming to leverage the sport’s surging popularity, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
Stroll, who maintains ownership of the F1 team distinct from his position in luxury automaker Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc, is reportedly open to divesting up to 25 percent of the racing entity, the sources disclosed on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks.
Seeking to surpass the £1 billion (US$1.3 billion) valuation from the previous November deal with US private equity firm Arctos Partners, the Canadian magnate is exploring avenues to enhance the team’s financial standing, one source indicated.
A spokesperson remarked, “From time to time and more recently following the Arctos Partners investment, the team is contacted by interested parties.”
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The spokesperson emphasized that any ongoing discussions remain confidential with no formal announcements yet.
This prospective transaction marks another development in the F1 landscape characterized by a flurry of deals and escalating valuations, propelled notably by the success of the Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive, which has significantly bolstered the sport’s popularity in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the trajectory of publicly traded Aston Martin contrasts starkly with the fortunes of its F1 counterpart.
Stroll, a former textiles mogul, orchestrated the rescue of Aston Martin in 2020.
However, the company’s stock has since slumped by roughly a third since the year’s onset, plummeting approximately 80 percent from Stroll’s assumption of executive chairman duties.
To address liquidity needs, Stroll has recurrently secured funding from investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
News of Stroll’s inclination to further divest his F1 stake prompted a surge of up to 7.3 percent in Aston Martin Lagonda’s stock, as reported by Bloomberg News, though gains were subsequently pared.
Notably, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso recently extended his contract with the team through 2026, coinciding with Honda’s impending takeover of Aston Martin’s engine construction as new regulatory measures reshape the F1 landscape.
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These adjustments are anticipated to disrupt the dominance enjoyed by Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen in recent seasons.
Lance Stroll, the son of Lawrence Stroll, is the other driver for the team.
The F1 outfit bears the official moniker Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team following a sponsorship agreement with the Saudi state oil giant extending until 2028.