Freshly extended by McLaren until 2030, Lando Norris denies earning a salary comparable to those of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
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The extension of Lando Norris at McLaren has not only fueled discussions about his sporting future. Since the announcement of his new contract, which binds him to the British team at least until the end of the 2030 season, speculations have also multiplied around the salary now received by the reigning world champion.
Some figures published in recent days placed Norris in a financial category close to Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, considered the two highest-paid drivers on the grid. An estimate that the Briton was quick to downplay.
Norris denies the figures mentioned
Norris does not hide that his new contract comes with a raise. After winning his first world title in 2025 and confirming his status as a leader at McLaren, this revaluation seems perfectly logical.
But the Briton assures that the amounts mentioned online are very far from reality.
“I think I should earn as much as them, but this new contract is certainly very far from the figures I have seen circulating online, unfortunately!” jokes Norris.
“Of course, it’s a bit more than in my previous contract, like in any job when you extend. But it’s clearly not close to the level of Lewis or Max.”
Still far from Hamilton and Verstappen
Hamilton and Verstappen are considered the financial benchmarks of the current grid. Their salaries are estimated to be around 60 to 70 million dollars per season, without necessarily taking into account all the bonuses and personal income associated with their performances.
Norris readily admits that he has not yet built a record comparable to that of the two multiple world champions. Hamilton has seven world titles while Verstappen has also established himself as one of the most decorated drivers of his generation.
“In a way, it shouldn’t be the case because I haven’t accomplished as much as they have during their careers,” admits the McLaren driver.
“I can do a better job than them”
But Norris does not lack confidence when it comes to comparing his current level to that of the two stars of the discipline. While he accepts that his record justifies for now a difference in salary, he believes he is capable of competing directly with Hamilton and Verstappen on track.
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“On the other hand, I think it should be the case because I believe I can fight against them whenever necessary, and I can do a better job whenever I need to,” he says.
A statement that perfectly illustrates the evolution of Norris’s status since his world title. The Briton no longer considers himself simply as a potential rival to the benchmarks of the grid, but as a driver capable of beating them on equal terms.
Norris now aims for their salaries
His new contract should guarantee him a significant raise, but Norris intends to take advantage of the coming years to build a record likely to justify, in the long run, a salary comparable to those of Verstappen and Hamilton.
“I’m working on it. I don’t know when my next extension or renegotiation will take place, but I hope to one day reach their level,” he continues.
To achieve this, Norris will notably have to continue accumulating wins and titles. His world crown won in 2025 already constitutes a major first step, while his recent performances with the MCL40 show that he remains capable of regularly fighting at the front.
A new status at McLaren
This extension until 2030 mainly confirms the central place occupied by Norris in McLaren’s project. Present in the team since his debut in Formula 1 in 2019, the Briton has accompanied its gradual rise to the top.
His new contract rewards this loyalty and his results, without yet propelling him into the same financial sphere as the two biggest stars on the grid.
Norris even prefers to joke about it: “No, I dream of seeing the figures I have seen circulating online.”
The reigning world champion will therefore have to wait a little longer before earning the same amounts as Hamilton or Verstappen. But Norris no longer hides his ambition: after joining them at the top on the track, he would like one day to join them also on his paycheck.
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