US billionaire Robert Wood Johnson has acquired a minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, joining the board of directors as vice chairman.
Johnson is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical empire and is widely known in sporting circles as the owner of the New York Jets NFL franchise.
The 79-year-old also acquired a major stake in Premier League football club Crystal Palace last year, further demonstrating his appetite for high-profile sports investment.
Johnson has long been a donor to US president Donald Trump and previously served as US ambassador to the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2021 following Trump’s first election victory.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll brought Johnson into the team with the specific goal of advancing the Silverstone-based outfit’s commercial growth in the United States.
The team was keen to stress that Johnson would not be involved in the day-to-day management of the Formula 1 operation despite his new boardroom role.
“During my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, I have developed a deep appreciation for Aston Martin’s rich history, as well as Lawrence Stroll’s strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit,” Johnson said.
“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.”
Johnson also outlined a shared desire to grow Formula 1’s audience in North America, adding: “We also share a commitment to growing the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1.”
Lawrence Stroll welcomed the investment enthusiastically, describing Johnson as an ideal fit for the team’s next competitive phase.
Stroll said: “I am extremely happy to welcome Woody to the Aston Martin family. His experience, passion and investment further strengthen our position as we enter the next phase of our competitive journey.”
Stroll added that Johnson’s background made him a natural partner, saying: “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.”
The United States has become one of Formula 1’s most commercially valuable markets in recent years, making Johnson’s connections and profile particularly attractive to the Stroll-led organisation.