Bloomberg Talks: Aston Martin Aramco F1 Owner Lawrence Stroll Talks Upcoming Season
Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Lawrence Stroll, Owner, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
Episode Overview
This episode features a deep-dive interview with Lawrence Stroll, owner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team, ahead of the 2026 F1 season. The discussion touches on the team's technical evolution, high-profile partnerships, regulatory controversies in F1, the business of sport, Aston Martin's road cars, and broader industry trends. Stroll provides candid insights into both racing and luxury automotive strategies, the impact of high-profile hires like Adrian Newey, and his vision for the future.
Key Discussion Points
1. Starting the 2026 F1 Season: Technical Innovations and Challenges
[00:30]
- New Beginnings: Aston Martin entered the new season slightly behind rivals, with key technical hires and upgrades implemented a bit later than competitors.
- Adrian Newey joined the team in March; first wind tunnel test with the new car only in April, compared to rivals in January.
- Major new partnerships and technology upgrades for 2026:
- New power unit from Honda as partner
- First-ever in-house gearbox
- Introduction of sustainable fuels with Aramco and Valvoline
- Simultaneous change of chassis and power unit—a first in F1 in 75 years
"There's a lot of new, first time in 75 year Formula One history that they're changed chassis and the power unit simultaneously. So it'll be very exciting, no doubt, and be a lot to learn in the coming, first coming races."
— Lawrence Stroll [00:55]
2. Defining Success for 2026 and Beyond
[01:18]
- Long-term Outlook: Stroll emphasizes a five-year strategy over short-term gain; no specific placement expectations.
- Team Confidence: Strong faith in current team, processes, and partnerships for sustained progress.
"It's not about the first race or two, it's about the next five years. Again, extremely confident we have the right people, we have the right tools, we have the right processes..."
— Lawrence Stroll [01:44]
3. The Technical Edge: Regulation, Loopholes, and Controversy
[01:58]
- Rival Innovations: Reporter references rumors about Mercedes and Red Bull using variable engine compression—some suggest it's "cheating," though Christian Horner (Red Bull) dismisses it.
- Stroll’s View: Finding grey areas is part of F1; legality is up to technical teams and FIA. Stroll avoids technical judgment but acknowledges ongoing scrutiny.
"You're always looking for an edge in the rules and you're always looking to find loopholes. That's part of Formula One. I'm not a technical power unit guru to really give an opinion on exactly what they've done..."
— Lawrence Stroll [02:20]
4. The Adrian Newey Advantage
[02:44]
- Adrian Newey’s Reputation: Seen as the greatest F1 technical mind; other teams are in awe of his innovative suspension design and championship pedigree (25 world titles).
- Impact & High Hopes: Stroll is "blessed" to have him onboard, confident in unique advantage.
"He is the goat. He is a unicorn. Nobody has a track record like he's had since his times in Formula One..."
— Lawrence Stroll [03:06]
5. Broadening Partnerships: Breitling and Brand Synergy
[03:20]
- New Partnership with Breitling: More than a brand deal; crucial for "timekeeping" (a fundamental value in racing).
- Shared Heritage: Both brands root in technical precision, heritage, and fashion/attitude of Formula One.
"...Formula One is all about time. It's about the stopwatch, it's about the clock...I think Breitling captures the time component with their history, with their great timepieces."
— Lawrence Stroll [03:31]
6. Sporting Diversification: No Plans Beyond Racing
[04:02]
- NFL Curveball: Asked if he’d buy into the Seattle Seahawks or other sports, Stroll laughs off the idea.
- Staying Focused: Overwhelmed (but satisfied) with current F1/auto commitments.
"No. I have my plate full right now. I'm absolutely thrilled with what I'm doing..."
— Lawrence Stroll [04:19]
7. Team Valuations and Ownership
[04:41]
- Team’s Worth Rising: Questioned on whether he’d sell a stake after rumors of Alpine seeking investors.
- Clear Answer: No plans to sell; focus is fully on growth and sporting excellence.
"We're not looking to sell any shares. We're looking to grow the business and to do great in the sport."
— Lawrence Stroll [05:01]
8. Aston Martin’s Road Car Business: Brand Perception and Growth
[05:11]
- Market Misconceptions: Many unaware of Aston’s SUV (DBX); product portfolio now expanding.
- Business Trajectory: Sales of Vanquish, DB12, and Vantage are strong; strategy is about patience and long-term execution.
- Dealer Adaptation: Dealers getting used to a broader lineup, with buzz around new models like Valhalla.
"...not so different in Formula one. Everything takes time...it’s also a 10 year journey. So we're quite pleased with where we are..."
— Lawrence Stroll [06:23]
9. Embracing Mechanical Intimacy: Manual Transmissions and Brand Identity
[06:44] - [07:31]
- Analog Cars: Interviewer praises driving experience, wants more manual transmission options.
- Stroll Responds: Reveals two manual special editions released in recent years, reflecting continued customer demand for "analog."
- No Manual Vantage in Pipeline: Despite used market premiums for manuals, no current plans for manual Vantage model.
"We believe that, as you call the analog is still very relative for today’s particularly Aston Martin customers."
— Lawrence Stroll [07:12]"...that's not planned for our lineup at the moment."
— Lawrence Stroll [07:52]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Technical Challenges:
"First time in 75 year Formula One history that they're changed chassis and the power unit simultaneously." [00:53] - On Newey’s Unmatched Value:
"He is the goat. He is a unicorn. Nobody has a track record like he's had..." [03:06] - On Remaining Focused:
"No. I have my plate full right now. I'm absolutely thrilled with what I'm doing..." [04:19] - On Product Patience:
"Everything takes time. I've been in the road car business a similar amount of time as I've been in the Formula One team and it's also a 10 year journey." [06:23] - On Manual Cars:
"...we already have two, five speeds that we've introduced in the last three years to great demand." [07:12]
Important Timestamps
- Technical Upgrades & Season Preview: 00:30 – 01:27
- F1 Regulation Controversies: 01:58 – 02:44
- Adrian Newey's Impact: 02:44 – 03:20
- Exclusive Brand Partnerships: 03:20 – 04:02
- Sports Franchise Interest: 04:02 – 04:41
- Team Valuation & Retention: 04:41 – 05:11
- Aston Martin’s Business Strategy: 05:11 – 06:44
- Manual Transmission Discussion: 06:44 – 07:58
Summary
This episode gives listeners a candid look into the mindset of Lawrence Stroll as he steers Aston Martin through a transformative F1 season and evolving automotive landscape. The conversation covers team dynamics, technical innovation, reputation management, and brand identity—both on and off the track. Stroll’s focus is firmly on long-term excellence, with unyielding confidence in his personnel, consistent patience for product and sports evolution, and selective partnerships that reinforce the team’s values and heritage. For enthusiasts and industry watchers alike, his insights provide a roadmap for balancing innovation, tradition, and ambition at the highest levels of motorsport and luxury automotive business.