Lando Norris becomes 3rd highest-paid F1 driver with $57.5M paycheck after 2025 title win

Lando Norris has emerged as the third-highest paid F1 driver of the 2025 season after winning his first drivers' championship on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver had a breakout season this year, securing 18 podiums in 24 races, including 7 race wins.

He entered the season finale in Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead over reigning champion Max Verstappen. All the Briton needed to do was finish on the podium, and the 2025 title was his. That is precisely what he did, and a big highlight was his stunning double overtake of Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson on lap 19 of 58.

As per Forbes, Lando Norris earned $18 million in salary, $10 million in bonuses for winning the drivers' championship, and $29.5 million in performance bonuses for his results throughout the season. At $57.5 million, he became the third-highest-paid driver behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

According to Forbes, Hamilton earned an estimated $70 million in salary and roughly $500,000 in bonuses. However, he was still beaten to the top by Verstappen, who, in addition to his $65 million salary, earned $11 million in bonuses, for a total paycheck of $76 million.

Max Verstappen hugs Lando Norris after the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Verstappen has been the highest-paid driver for the last four straight seasons, since he won his first championship in 2021 by beating Hamilton. Earlier this year, a report claimed that George Russell had become the third-highest-paid driver after signing his Mercedes contract renewal in October, which paid him $40 million in salary.

He could've stayed put in number three behind Verstappen and Hamilton if not for Lando Norris' performance bonuses. Charles Leclerc occupied number 5, with $30 million in earnings, up from $27 million in 2024.

UK street renamed to 'Lando Lane' to honor 'region's favorite son' Lando Norris after F1 title win

'Lando Lane' Signage Unveiled At Clarks Village - Source: Getty

Lando Norris' F1 championship win induced a heartwarming reaction in Somerset, where he grew up. A street at Clark's Village in Street, UK, was renamed 'Lando Lane' to commemorate his achievement.

Norris attended Midfield School in Street, where he began his karting journey as a seven-year-old. Chris Davis, Centre Director of Clarks Village, hailed the McLaren driver as "one of the region's favorite sons."

"Lando is a local hero, and we are all absolutely delighted that he’s been crowned World Champion," Davis said via Rayo. "He spent his formative years here in Somerset, and it was during this period in his life when he took up karting, a path that has ultimately led to him becoming the best F1 driver in the world. Renaming our street ‘Lando Lane’ is our way of commemorating this incredible achievement from one of the region’s favourite sons."

What Lando Norris was most proud of about his journey to winning the 2025 F1 championship was that he did it his way, or "Lando's way," as McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called it. The Briton didn't try to emulate the aggression that many F1 world champions in the past displayed.

"That’s one of the things that makes me most proud," Norris said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. "I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I’m not. Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful as other champions might have been in the past... whatever it may be. I’m happy I just won it my way. I’m happy I could go out and be myself and win it Lando’s way, as Andrea would tell me. That certainly makes me happy."

Lando Norris will carry the number 1 on his car in the 2026 season, which is only allowed for reigning champions. Max Verstappen had been using it since 2022, after winning his first championship in 2021.