Aston Martin, the luxury carmaker, has finalized an agreement to sell the exclusive rights to its Formula 1 branding to its own racing team, AMR GP, for £50 million ($67 million). While seemingly unusual, the deal primarily represents a financial injection from team owner and major shareholder Lawrence Stroll into the broader Aston Martin business.
Financial Context and Shareholder Approval
The transaction requires approval from shareholders, but major investors like Geely and Mercedes-Benz have already signaled their support. This move comes at a critical time for Aston Martin, which recently revised its 2025 earnings projections downward. The company’s deliveries in the previous year decreased by almost 10%, reaching 5,448 units—partly due to U.S. trade tariffs.
Cash Reserves and Strategic Timing
As of late 2025, Aston Martin holds roughly £250 million ($338 million) in cash reserves—a decrease of £110 million ($148 million) from the beginning of the year. The timing of this deal is notable, as the company navigates financial pressures while simultaneously preparing to ramp up production of its high-performance Valhalla model.
The Valhalla Hybrid: A Key Revenue Driver
Deliveries of the Valhalla, a limited-edition $1.1 million hybrid hypercar (capped at 999 units), began late last year. Aston Martin anticipates delivering around 500 units by the end of 2026. The Valhalla combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of 1,065 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. This positions it as a direct competitor to high-performance rivals like the Ferrari Testarossa.
This deal underscores the financial realities facing luxury automakers, even those with iconic brands. Selling branding rights to shore up cash reserves is a pragmatic move that ensures operational stability while waiting for key models to drive revenue.
