Aston Martin F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll is reportedly considering selling a minority stake in the increasingly valuable racing outfit.
This news comes amidst the team's impressive trajectory and speculation surrounding a potential move for Red Bull's star designer, Adrian Newey.
Stroll's involvement with the team began in 2018 when he acquired the then-struggling Force India outfit, saving it from administration and rebranding the squad Racing Point and then Aston Martin F1 following the acquisition of the prestigious sports car manufacturer by a consortium of investors led by the Canadian billionaire.
Since, Stroll has overseen the Silverstone-based team’s remarkable transformation into a force to be reckoned with in F1. And with Aston Martin F1 now housed within a brand new state of the art factory, it’s upward trajectory is set to continue.
Last November, the team sold a minority stake to private equity firm Arctos Partners in a deal that valued Aston martin F1 at $1.3 billion.
Founded in 2020 and based in Greenwich, Connecticut, Arctos focuses on investing in sports and entertainment franchises as well as other businesses.
Its high-profile investments include the NBA's Golden State Warriors and the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.
But according to Bloomberg, Stroll is now “willing to sell as much as 25 per cent” of the Aston Martin team, “hoping to improve on the $1.3billion valuation of last November’s deal” with Arctos.
While not confirming any ongoing negotiations, an Aston Martin spokesperson acknowledged receiving interest from potential investors, but emphasized the confidential nature of any discussions and that no official announcements are imminent.
“From time to time and more recently following the Arctos Partners investment, the team is contacted by interested parties,” said the Aston representative.
It’s unclear whether a potential new minority investor would acquire shares from one or more existing shareholders or if its investment would represent a fresh influx of capital.
The news of a potential stake sale coincides with information this of Red Bull's star designer, Adrian Newey, leaving the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Aston Martin has been linked with a move for Newey, whose engineering brilliance has been a key factor in Red Bull's success over the years.
If they manage to secure his services, it would be a significant coup and further strengthen their championship aspirations.
Whether Stroll finalizes a minority stake sale and the potential pursuit of Newey remain to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Aston Martin F1 is a team on the rise, attracting significant interest from investors and potentially game-changing personnel.
The upcoming months will likely reveal more about Stroll's long-term vision for the team and their quest for F1 glory.
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