# Aston Martin to sell F1 naming rights for £50m; FY2025 margin at c.29.5%

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/aston-martin-to-sell-f1-naming-rights-for-50m-fy2025-margin-at-c-29-5/4121240751
- Published: 2026-02-20T07:35:30+00:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc **(LON:AML) has announced that following
an offer from AMR GP Holdings Limited, it is proposing to sell the right to use 
Aston Martin as part of the ‘Aston Martin F1 Team’ name and as a chassis name to
AMR GP in perpetuity, as well as certain related branding rights, in each case limited
to specified uses in the context of AMR GP’s F1® operations, for consideration of
£50m in cash. In 2024, Aston Martin extended its long-term Sponsorship Arrangement
until at least 2045, with the Naming Arrangements for AMR to use the ‘Aston Martin’
name in F1 until 2055 at the latest.

**FY 2025 Trading Update**

In 2025, Aston Martin navigated a highly challenging trading environment whilst 
continuing to deliver operational milestones. Despite external factors, including,
but not limited to heightened tariffs in the U.S. and, as guided, fewer high margin
Special deliveries impacting financial performance, the Group made progress on its
business transformation journey, driving operational efficiencies in cost and capex,
whilst continuing to expand its model line-up.

The following unaudited FY 2025 Trading Update is provided ahead of the FY 2025 
Results scheduled for 25 February 2026:

·   The Group delivered total wholesale volumes of 5,448 (FY 2024: 6,030), with 
retails outpacing wholesale volumes. This included 152 Valhalla deliveries in Q4
2025.

·     The Group currently expects FY 2025 gross margin of circa 29.5% and adjusted
EBIT slightly below the lower end of the analyst consensus range (lower end of the
January 2026 analyst consensus: £(184m)).

·    The previously announced actions taken by the Group to reduce SG&A and capex
in FY 2025 are expected to result in adjusted operating expenses (excl. D&A) decreasing
16% to £262m (FY 2024: £313m) and capital expenditure of £341m (FY 2024: £401m).

·    Total liquidity at 31st December 2025 remained broadly flat compared to Q3 
2025 at £250m. This reflects a sequential improvement in performance in Q4 2025,
for which period modest positive free cash flow is expected.

The £50m consideration from the Proposed Transaction will enhance the Group’s liquidity
position.

Aston Martin continues to expect material improvement in FY 2026 financial performance
driven by an enhanced product mix including c.500 Valhalla deliveries, ongoing benefits
from the transformation programme and a continued disciplined approach to operations.

**Substantial Property Transaction**

Shareholder approval by ordinary resolution under the Companies Act 2006 is required
from the Company’s shareholders for the Proposed Transaction as a “substantial property
transaction” under s190 of the Act. A Circular and Notice of Meeting will be published
later today.

Shareholders accounting for 54.27 per cent of the total issued share capital of 
the Company have provided irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the resolution
relating to the Proposed Transaction.

_Shareholders who have provided irrevocable undertakings:_

| **Shareholder** | **Number of Shares** | **% shareholding of the Company’s issued share capital** | 
| Members of the Yew Tree Consortium | 330,574,088. | 32.65 | 
| Geely International (Hong Kong) Limited | 142,530,859 | 14.08 | 
| Mercedes-Benz AG | 76,320,195 | 7.54 |

**Related Party Transaction**

Lawrence Stroll is a related party of the Company for the purposes of the UK Listing
Rules by virtue of his position as Executive Chairman and a director of the Company.
Additionally, Lawrence Stroll is a related party of the Company by virtue of being
the lead investor in Yew Tree Consortium, a substantial shareholder of the Company.
As Lawrence Stroll also indirectly controls the majority of the voting rights of
AMR GP, AMR GP is an associate of Lawrence Stroll and therefore, AMR GP is also 
a related party of the Company.

The Proposed Transaction constitutes a notifiable related party transaction under
UK Listing Rule 8.2.1R.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors of the Company (comprised
for these purposes of independent Directors) confirms that it considers that the
Proposed Transaction is fair and reasonable as far as shareholders of the Company
are concerned, and that the Board has been so advised by Goldman Sachs International
as sponsor to the Company. Goldman Sachs International has taken into account the
commercial assessment of the Board of Directors of the Company.

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