Across the 75-year-old history of Formula 1, the fastest form of MotorRacing there have been 35 different world champions who have represented (and won from) 16 different Constructors. Now, Formula 1’s latest world champion, Bristol-born Lando Norris is the eleventh world champion from Great Britain. Reason enough to consider a nation that has made legendary contributions to the sport we so love, great? That being said, from his cool and collected drive at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season ender to determined, focused and authoritative triumphs at events such as the Dutch Grand Prix, Monte Carlo and Silverstone, the latter, a prized win at his home track, Norris has been a figure of intrigue and excitement. Intrigue because so often was he trolled that he almost became hated on social media, a place where maggots masquerade as opinion makers and where purists often have to overbear sickening bias.
And excitement because, let’s face it, had Lando Norris not picked his craft, aligned concentration with conviction, would we have the kind of dominant success that McLaren have enjoyed at the end of the day?
Surely, Oscar Piastri, who finished 2nd at Abu Dhabi was already adjudged the Drivers’ title winner in the fans’ mind given his imperious form and dominant touch until the midseason post which he made critical errors. And he remains a sentimental favourite for 2025 and there’s hardly a surprise given the Melbourne-born was imposing and cool as ice. But had Lando Norris, a pertinent McLaren project, not given his team the wins that they so desperately needed to combat an almost unstoppable Max Verstappen, who let’s not forget is a four-time world champion, would McLaren have painted the Yes Marina and much of 2025 with its affable Papaya colour?
That said, let us break down what Lando Norris earns or is set to earn post his maiden F1 title and what a win it has been, right?
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Here’s immediately a fact that could shock you.
The man whose current net worth is estimated to be approximately 70 million USD doesn’t take a prize money.
You read the right.
Firstly, there’s something rather interesting that the winning F1 World Champion DOESN’T receive, unlike the prize money earned by the winning Constructor. And that is the prize money, itself. Confused? Well, don’t be.
It is what it is!
F1 drivers don’t get prize money from Formula 1 or the FIA. If they win races or finish well in the championship, any bonus they receive comes from their team, not the sport itself. In the past a few races handed out small cash prizes, but F1 has never given the champion a big cheque.
What the champion does receive is a trophy. Since the 1990s, this has been the FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship Trophy, designed in 1995 by Richard Fox. It’s a silver-and-gold cup that includes the engraved signatures of every F1 world champion.
That said, just how ‘rich’ is Lando Norris, today?
His current long-term McLaren deal, signed in 2024, pays roughly $21 million a year, making him one of the higher earners on the grid.