Lawrence Stroll

Early Life and Family Background

Lawrence Sheldon Strulovitch was born on 11 July 1959 in Montreal, Quebec, into a Jewish family. His father, Leo Strulović, worked as a fashion importer and later changed the family surname to Stroll. Growing up in Montreal, Lawrence gained early exposure to international commerce through his father's business activities, which involved importing designer clothing. This initial experience in the family trade provided him with practical insights and connections that informed his later entrepreneurial decisions, and the modification of the family name was one step in the family's commercial activities within North America.

Fashion Industry Investments and Commercial Growth

Lawrence Stroll's commercial career developed from the foundation established by his father, who was responsible for introducing the Pierre Cardin and Ralph Lauren clothing brands to Canada. Stroll later assumed a role in expanding the Ralph Lauren brand into European markets, showing an early capacity for international brand development. His most profitable business alliance was with Hong Kong investor Silas Chou, forming a successful investment partnership. Together, they executed strategic investments in the American fashion labels Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, supplying capital and commercial guidance that helped build these companies into worldwide entities.

Their investment company, Sportswear Holdings, managed these holdings and sold its final interests in these businesses in 2014, generating major financial returns. During the 2000s, Chou and Stroll also broadened their luxury investments by putting money into the British jewellery firm Asprey & Garrard. This phase confirmed Stroll as a significant participant in worldwide fashion and luxury goods investment, with a demonstrated history of selecting and expanding premium brands. His achievements in fashion supplied the financial resources and assurance for his subsequent, more visible undertakings in automotive and motorsport.

• Partnered with investor Silas Chou on major fashion deals.
• Invested in and grew the Tommy Hilfiger brand to global prominence.
• Invested in and grew the Michael Kors brand to global prominence.
• Sold final stakes in Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors businesses in 2014 via Sportswear Holdings.
• Invested in the luxury jeweller Asprey & Garrard during the 2000s.
• Earlier involvement included bringing the Ralph Lauren brand to Europe.

Entry into Motorsport and Team Ownership

In 2014, he assumed ownership of the Italian Prema Racing team, which was then competing in junior categories like Formula 4 and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with his son as a driver. As the team owner, Stroll was directly involved in driver selection decisions, and he exercised veto power to prevent future Formula One driver George Russell from racing for Prema in the 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series. He also vetoed the move of Lando Norris to the team ahead of the 2018 Formula 2 season, and Stroll sold Prema Racing in 2021 to a Swiss company named DC Racing Solutions, which was managed in part by Deborah Mayer and Claudio Schiavoni. His most significant action occurred in August 2018 when he headed a consortium to buy the assets of the insolvent Force India Formula One team. The new operation, called Racing Point Force India, was accepted as a new entry and competed in the remainder of the 2018 season, finishing in seventh position in the constructors' championship. For the 2019 season, the team name and entrant was changed to Racing Point F1 Team, with Lance Stroll as one of its drivers, and it once more secured seventh place in the standings. This acquisition gave Stroll a direct and controlling position in the top level of motorsport, preparing for a larger automotive project and establishing a platform for his son's continued career.

• Purchased the Prema Racing team in 2014 while his son Lance raced for them.
• Vetoed George Russell's move to Prema for the 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series.
• Vetoed Lando Norris's move to Prema ahead of the 2018 Formula 2 season.
• Sold Prema Racing to DC Racing Solutions (managed by Deborah Mayer and Claudio Schiavoni) in 2021.
• Led consortium to buy Force India assets in August 2018, creating Racing Point Force India.
• The new team finished 7th in the 2018 Constructors' Championship.
• Renamed team to Racing Point F1 Team for 2019, again finishing 7th.

Investment in and Leadership of Aston Martin

On 31 January 2020, Lawrence Stroll executed his most ambitious commercial move, leading his Yew Tree Investments consortium to commit £182 million into the financially troubled British carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda. In return, the consortium received a 16.7 percent stake in the company, with Stroll becoming its executive chairman, a role that gave him operational control. This investment served as a rescue operation intended to stabilise the company's finances and fund new product development, including the DBX SUV, which was seen as crucial for reaching new customers. A central component of the strategic plan was the immediate rebranding of his Racing Point Formula One team to Aston Martin for the 2021 season, returning the car brand to a full factory team in Formula One after a long absence and creating a powerful marketing link.

Lawrence Stroll is the executive chairman and part-owner of Aston Martin. He supervises a restructuring plan aimed at returning Aston Martin to profitability and strengthening its brand. His method uses the global marketing platform of Formula One to support the road car brand. Stroll applies his experience from building fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors to the automotive sector. Under his direction, the company concentrates on enlarging its model range and improving manufacturing processes.

Personal Life, Family, and Assets

Lawrence Stroll is married to Raquel Stroll, whose maiden name is Diniz and who is not related to former Formula One driver Pedro Diniz. He was previously married to Belgian-born Claire-Anne Stroll, whose maiden name is Callens, and Lawrence and Claire-Anne have two children together. Their daughter, Chloe Stroll, is a singer-songwriter who married Australian Olympic snowboarder Scotty James in May 2023, and their son, Lance Stroll, is a Formula One driver who competes for the Aston Martin team owned by his father. Stroll is known as a dedicated car collector, with a collection centred on vintage Ferrari models that is considered one of the most significant in private hands.

Lawrence Stroll has a large car collection mostly consisting of Ferraris. His collection includes a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, and a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4. He also owns other cars such as a 1996 McLaren F1 and a Ford GT. He used to own the Ferrari dealership of Quebec. From 2000 until August 2022, Stroll owned the Circuit Mont-Tremblant racing circuit in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains.

• Married to Raquel Stroll (née Diniz).
• Formerly married to Claire-Anne Stroll (née Callens).
• Father of singer-songwriter Chloe Stroll, married to Olympian Scotty James in May 2023.
• Father of Formula One driver Lance Stroll.
• Car collection includes a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, and a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4.
• Also owns a 1996 McLaren F1 and a Ford GT.
• Former owner of the Ferrari dealership in Quebec.
• Owned Circuit Mont-Tremblant from 2000 until its sale in August 2022.

Business Approach and Current Position

Lawrence Stroll's business approach is marked by identifying premium brands with international potential that are underperforming and applying growth strategies and marketing. He transferred this model from fashion to automotive, viewing Aston Martin as a storied brand needing financial support and contemporary strategic management. His current position is being shaped in the difficult task of reviving a historic car manufacturer while also operating a team in Formula One, and the outcome of the Aston Martin revival will probably define his commercial career for years to come. For Canadians, he is an individual who has attained considerable success internationally in multiple, highly visible industries, from fashion to high-performance automotive manufacturing and racing.

Formula One Team Evolution and Results

In August 2018, Lawrence Stroll led a consortium in buying the assets of the defunct Force India Formula One team. The team was renamed Racing Point Force India and re-entered the 2018 season. For the 2019 season, the team name was changed to Racing Point F1 Team. On 31 January 2020, Stroll led a consortium to invest £182 million into Aston Martin for a 16.7 percent stake. The Racing Point F1 Team was re-branded as the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021.

The Racing Point F1 Team, under Stroll's ownership, achieved 7th position in the Constructors' Championship in 2018. The team again finished in 7th position in the Constructors' Championship for the 2019 season. The team was re-branded as the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021. Lance Stroll, Lawrence Stroll's son, drives for the Aston Martin F1 team.

Questions about Lawrence Stroll

How did Lawrence Stroll make his money?

Lawrence Stroll built his initial fortune through strategic investments in the fashion industry. In partnership with investor Silas Chou, he invested in the Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors brands, providing capital and business expertise that helped grow them into global giants. His investment vehicle, Sportswear Holdings, sold its remaining stakes in these businesses in 2014. He also had investments in other luxury goods firms like Asprey & Garrard. This wealth from fashion provided the capital for his later investments in Aston Martin and Formula One.

What car collection does Lawrence Stroll own?

Lawrence Stroll owns a world-class car collection with a strong focus on vintage Ferraris. Key pieces in his collection include a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, and a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4. He also owns other landmark supercars such as a 1996 McLaren F1 and a Ford GT. His connection to Ferrari extended to business, as he formerly owned the Ferrari dealership in Quebec.

What did Lawrence Stroll do before Aston Martin?

Before his investment in Aston Martin, Lawrence Stroll was a major figure in the global fashion investment scene through his partnership with Silas Chou. He was instrumental in the growth of brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren in Europe. He also owned the Circuit Mont-Tremblant race track in Quebec from 2000 to 2022 and owned the Prema Racing junior team from 2014 to 2021. His first major move into Formula One was leading the consortium that bought the Force India team in 2018.

What is Lawrence Stroll's net worth?

According to Forbes, as of September 2026, Lawrence Stroll has a net worth of US$3.7 billion. Stroll is a Canadian businessman who is part owner and executive chairman of Aston Martin, as well as the owner of their Formula One team. His wealth was built through successful investments in the fashion industry. Along with investor Silas Chou, he invested in brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, contributing significantly to their global growth. His company, Sportswear Holdings, sold its final stakes in these businesses in 2014.

Is Lance Stroll related to Lawrence Stroll?

Yes, Lance Stroll is the son of Lawrence Stroll. Lance is a racing driver currently competing for his father's Aston Martin F1 team. Lawrence Stroll is married to Raquel Stroll and was previously married to Claire Anne Stroll. Lawrence and Claire Anne have two children, including Lance and his sister, singer songwriter Chloe Stroll. Lawrence Stroll has been directly involved in his son's racing career, having taken ownership of the Prema Racing team in 2014 when Lance was racing for them in junior categories.

How much did Lawrence Stroll invest in Aston Martin?

On 31 January 2020, Lawrence Stroll led the Yew Tree Investments consortium to invest £182 million into Aston Martin, in return for a 16.7 percent stake in the company. This major investment made him part owner and executive chairman of the well-known car manufacturer. As part of this deal, his Formula One team, then known as Racing Point F1 Team, was rebranded as the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021. This move integrated his Formula One operations with the historic British car brand. Stroll had previously entered Formula One by leading a consortium to buy the assets of the Force India team in August 2018.

Sources and further reading

• Lawrence Stroll (Wikipedia)
• Who is Lawrence Stroll? How Aston Martin owner became ... (motorsportmagazine.com)
• Fast and furious (theglobeandmail.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.