Aston Martin sells stake in F1 team amid financial pressures
Aston Martin Lagonda, the iconic British car manufacturer best known for its luxury sports cars and long-standing association with James Bond, has officially confirmed its intention to sell its minority stake in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.
The move marks a significant financial play for the automaker, which has been seeking ways to shore up its balance sheet amid declining revenues, falling stock prices, and an increasingly challenging export environment.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down the move in this article.
£2.4 billion valuation signals rising F1 fortunes
The deal to offload its 4.6 per cent stake is expected to generate approximately £110 million, or around $146 million, and places the valuation of the Formula 1 team at an impressive £2.4 billion.
This figure marks a sharp increase from earlier valuations, with Forbes pegging the team at just over £1 billion in mid-2023.
The higher final price represents a roughly 50 per cent premium over early estimates and reflects the continued global growth of F1 as a commercial juggernaut.
Although the identity of the buyer has not yet been revealed, the transaction is expected to be completed within the third quarter of the year.
Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Adrian Hallmark has stated that while the deal is binding, it has not been fully finalised.
Carmaker out, brand still in
Despite the sale, this is not a full departure from the sport for the car company. Aston Martin will remain closely associated with the team through a long-term commercial and branding agreement.
The familiar green livery and the team name will remain intact, continuing the automaker’s visible presence in the world of motorsport.
The key reason this is possible lies in the unique ownership structure of the team.
Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who took control of the then-ailing Force India team in 2018, owns and operates the F1 team through his Yew Tree Investments consortium.
The same group also holds a controlling 33 per cent stake in Aston Martin Lagonda.
The sale of the minority F1 stake does not sever the business relationship between the team and the car manufacturer, allowing the branding arrangement to continue even as equity shifts behind the scenes.
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A strategic exit amid financial challenges
The decision to sell comes at a time of financial strain for Aston Martin Lagonda. The company has seen its stock value tumble by 50 per cent over the past year.
Second-quarter revenue dropped by 34 per cent, weighed down by weaker demand for high-performance models like the Valkyrie and the DBX SUV.
Compounding these issues is a newly imposed export tariff structure between the United Kingdom and the United States.
The first 100,000 vehicles exported per year now face a reduced 10 per cent tariff, but anything beyond that reverts to a punishing 27.5 per cent rate.
For a niche manufacturer like Aston Martin, this presents a serious blow to profitability in one of its most important markets.
Given these challenges, the sale of its stake in the F1 team provides a much-needed liquidity injection, giving the automaker a chance to stabilise its finances while still keeping its brand linked to the global popularity of F1.
Lawrence Stroll’s vision for the team
Stroll’s leadership since acquiring the team has transformed it dramatically.
After rebranding the squad from Force India to Racing Point, and eventually to Aston Martin for the 2021 season, he has overseen the construction of a cutting-edge facility in Silverstone.
Investments have included the development of a new wind tunnel and a consistent drive to recruit top engineering talent.
One of the most headline-grabbing hires has been Adrian Newey, the legendary engineer behind Red Bull’s recent dominance.
Newey joined Aston Martin in early 2025 as a managing technical partner and has also taken an ownership stake in the team. His arrival has added significant credibility to the team’s long-term ambitions.
Looking further ahead, the team is set to become the factory squad for Honda starting in the 2026 season.
With new engine regulations coming into force that year, Aston Martin’s collaboration with Honda and the strategic guidance of Newey could provide a real opportunity for the team to challenge at the front of the grid.
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A bright future despite recent struggles
Although the Aston Martin F1 team has experienced a lacklustre 2025 campaign on the track, the foundations being laid off the track are painting a different picture.
The sale of the carmaker’s stake may be financially motivated, but it also reflects the rising commercial value of F1 teams across the grid.
More importantly, the team’s leadership under Stroll and the technical momentum provided by Newey and Honda make it a serious contender for future success.
With the Aston Martin name still emblazoned across the pit lane and the factory team status on the horizon, the green cars are far from disappearing from the sport’s elite tier.
In fact, while the car company may be stepping back from ownership, the Aston Martin Formula 1 team looks to be stepping up in every other way.
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