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Lawrence Stroll’s control over Aston Martin is being called into question by the team’s shareholders, due to the management style he has adopted.
The Silverstone-based outfit have had a dreadful start to 2026. Despite heavy investment from Stroll, including in the facilities at the factory and personnel such as Adrian Newey, Aston Martin are struggling to finish races, let alone score points.
The AMR26’s vibrations have caused health concerns for the drivers, while Honda’s engine is desperately underpowered, leaving them at the back of the grid. The constant changes in personnel have not helped either.
Has Lawrence Stroll made too many changes at Aston Martin?
Andy Cowell replaced Mike Krack as team principal in 2025, but after just a year, he was replaced by Newey for 2026. Now, Jonathan Wheatley is set to join from Audi, with the former Red Bull engineer stepping back to focus on developing the car.
It is a structure that is not popular in the F1 paddock, as ‘a lot of people’ don’t want to work with Stroll. This management style is now being reviewed by Aston Martin’s top brass.
Aston Martin’s shareholders are looking to ‘review’ Lawrence Stroll’s power
According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, Stroll’s control over the team is being questioned, as shareholders are starting to wonder if the Canadian could be the problem.
She told UOL Esporte: “These days, what you see most in Formula 1 are guys who work with investors, and investors who are keen to get into Formula 1, and these guys are knocking on every team’s door.
‘Look, I’ve got money, I’ve got money.’ It’s all about that, isn’t it? It’s just that when they knock on Stroll’s door, it’s only money that’s going in, because control has to stay in his hands.
When will Aston Martin score their first podium of the Adrian Newey era?
And will they get one at all?
“So what I’ve heard is that the shareholders there are already questioning that power, so they’re questioning everything I’m saying here. ‘Could the problem be this guy, or the management style he’s created?’ And there’s already a movement to perhaps review this.
“Now, to what extent Lawrence Stroll is willing to review this, I don’t know, because he’s the sort of guy who thinks that everything he’s ever touched in his life, he’s made more valuable, right?
“He took on several brands that were in the doldrums and worked miracles. Here, for some reason, he’s not managing to work that miracle. He’ll accept this defeat, take the losses and walk away, won’t he?”
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Could Lawrence Stroll look to sell Aston Martin?
Along with Stroll’s questionable management, the financial crisis off the track does not make for good reading. Karun Chandhok has questioned Aston Martin’s future in F1, as they record significant debt.
Rumours have been rife about whether the British manufacturer will remain in the sport. Many parties have expressed an interest, with Chinese giants Geely being linked with Aston Martin, along with competitors, BYD.
Then there is Christian Horner, who has been heavily linked with the team, as well as multiple other outfits, as he looks to return to the F1 paddock after his Red Bull exit.
He is looking to take on an ownership role, but Horner reached a ‘stumbling block’ with Stroll over acquiring equity. Whether the Canadian businessman will consider reducing his power within the team is to be seen.
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