Aston Martin’s Lawrence Stroll sells team stakes at $1.09 billion valuation to American firm Arctos after huge loss in 2022

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has sold a stake in the team’s business to a US-based private firm Arctos Partners.

Aston Martin’s Lawrence Stroll sells team stakes at $1.09 billion valuation to American firm Arctos after huge loss in 2022

Lawrence Stroll (via imago)

The current Aston Martin team has undergone severe changes in recent years. The team, formerly known as Force India, Then as Racing Point, was bought by Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian Businessman in 2018. Stroll further decided to rebrand the team as Aston Martin in 2021. It has now been revealed that Stroll has sold a minority stake in the team to a private equity firm from America – Arctos.

The actual numbers involved in the deal are yet to be disclosed. However, the firm and Lawrence Stroll, himself, commented on how the deal is the start of a long-standing partnership between the Businessman and Arctos. This statement assured viewers that Stroll would likely retain his position at the helm of the team’s progress and would be joined by the equity firm, instead of being taken over. Team owner Stroll addressed this, as reported by Motorsport. 

I am delighted to welcome Arctos Partners as a new partner and minority shareholder in the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team. Arctos see the potential and value of this project as we continue to build a world-class Formula 1 team. Together, we will continue to drive this team forward and build an even brighter and successful future.
https://youtu.be/8Eg7GEszkG0?si=LPhElCZnCAZ8BR0B

The Silverstone-based team are currently experiencing their most successful season as the team has accumulated 8 podium finishes over the course of the 2023 season. It will be interesting to see if and how Aston Martin benefits from this deal.

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Former F1 driver claims Lance Stroll has a general ‘lack of love’ for Formula 1 as he urges him to leave the sport

Lance Stroll’s Formula 1 journey has seen a mix of triumphs, controversies, and notable struggles. Stroll drives for his father Lawrence Stroll’s team, Aston Martin, alongside teammate Fernando Alonso. Stroll’s challenging season, trailing Alonso by 130 points has drawn attention and scrutiny toward his lack of performance in a formidable car. Former F1 driver, Christian Danner, suggests that Stroll’s lackluster performance might stem from an apparent lack of passion for the sport.

Lance Stroll (via imago)
Lance Stroll (via Imago)

Danner, expressing his views as reported by Sports.de, remarked on the lack of passion that he could spot in Lance Stroll.

If someone approaches the matter with such listlessness, then there is a lack of fundamental love for this profession, for this privilege of being allowed to drive a Formula 1 car, I don’t see that in him by a long shot.

Danner further proposed that Stroll should reconsider his future in the sport entirely, urging him to introspect on whether he genuinely wants to continue as a racing driver.

Aston Martin, which moved into its new £200m Silverstone factory earlier this year, is fighting with McLaren to score fourth in the constructors’ championship. Stroll, currently positioned at P10 in the Driver’s Standings, still has an opportunity to redefine his narrative and contribute significantly to Aston Martin’s pursuit of a possible P4 against McLaren. The critical question now, with Lawrence Stroll selling a minor stake of the racing team to a private firm, is how long can the younger Stroll be favored at the garage for a full-time driver role?