F1 racing team McLaren must have felt it had a potential legacy when it signed Brit racer Lando Norris in 2018. At only 22, the driver already possesses a healthy set of credentials, including a Formula 3 championship title and two Formula Renault 2.0 trophies. Before inking his contract, Norris mustered only one win on the F2 circuit, and at this writing has yet to secure his first in F1. Nonetheless, Norris earns enough to enjoy a lavish lifestyle worthy of an open-wheel champion, residing in the most expensive region on the planet and amassing quite an arsenal of supercars. How much Norris is worth these days, however, requires a considerable breakdown of the numbers.
Norris Remains With McLaren Until The End of 2025
In February, four years after his initial multi-year deal with McLaren for an undisclosed amount, Norris accepted a four-year contract annually worth nearly $25 million, earning as much as two-time champion Fernando Alonso, but considerably less than reigning world champion Max Verstappen (nearly $33 million) and all-time winner Lewis Hamilton (nearly $62 million). Still, as proof of McLaren's high hopes for the young driver, the deal doubles that of Lando's former teammate Carlos Sainz (now with Ferrari) eclipses the salary of current McLaren colleague Daniel Ricciardo ($18.5 million). For the record, the lowest-paid driver is Alpha Tauri's Yuki Tsunoda, receiving a relatively paltry $750,000.
The investment seems to be worth it as far as McLaren has concerned, since Norris has steadily moved up the ranks from 11th place in his rookie season to sixth overall in 2021, with a cumulative five podium finishes at this point. He easily outperformed his vastly more experienced teammate Ricciardo, who finished eighth last year, but fell a few points shy of overtaking fifth-place finisher and former cohort Sainz.
Lando Leans Toward Luxury
Performance aside, the contract is part of a Norris fortune pegged at roughly $280 million, according to wealth website CA Knowledge. That figure includes bonuses, his share of the family estate (valued by CA at $300 million), and likely including endorsement deals with the likes of Bell Helmets and bike and scooter manufacturer Pure Electric (brand owned by Lando's father), and revenue from his ownership of gaming company Quadrant. CA also claimed in its assessment that Norris owns nine mansions and five yachts, although it wasn't determined whether he personally bought those assets himself or if they're part of the family fortune.
Still, Norris earns enough to maintain that upper-crust lifestyle, currently occupying one of Monaco's more palatial apartment suites since February. It's hardly cheap, as a single-bedroom unit in Monte-Carlo would range in price between $2.5 million to $5 million. Like dwellings, Monaco's cost of living is also through the roof, with an individual monthly shelling out more than $10,000 for goods and services.
Considering that a nightclub cocktail would set a patron back at least $30 and a pair of jeans would cost at least $100 a pair, this sanctuary for the filthy rich is no place for anyone living on a budget. In Lando's case, residence in the principality would likely cost him at least $100,000 by the end of 2022. That's a conservative estimate which doesn't take inflation into account. He won't need to pay taxes in Monaco, although he'll likely continue to fork over at least $4 million this year to the British government.
He's Got A Rolls-Royce, Lambo And More...
He's also raking in plenty to own 13 vehicles, according to CA which listed eight of those luxury rides. Three of them – a Rolls-Royce Wraith, a 710 hp McLaren 720S and V12-powered Lamborghini Aventador – each cost him a cool million. Weighing in a bit cheaper is his Mercedes-AMG ($790,000), followed by his Ferrari F8 ($590,000). Some of his more inexpensive auto possessions include a Jaguar F-Type roadster ($220,000), Land Rover Defender ($190,000) and Audi Q8 ($155,000).
It's not known if McLaren gifted him with an Elva Ultimate Roadster. A car based on the automaker's early creations that once dominated the Can-Am and LeMans circuits. Interestingly, the company invited Norris to try out the speedster, which he almost spun out after the driver eagerly got behind the wheel.
Any of these rides would create the impression that Norris belongs in Monaco, especially when cruising by the casinos on a street that's part of the F1 track in Monte Carlo. But he still needs a place to store those pricey wheels. Within the principality, the average selling price of a garage is nearly $400,000, almost twice as much as his Jaguar. That said, he'd have an easier time finding a place to house his extensive watch collection, which includes such high-end lines like Blancpain, Rolex, and Tag Heuer, and are roughly worth $1.6 million. These are in addition to his Richard Mille watches, a sponsor for the McLaren team.
McLaren's Still Banking On Norris
While it seems that Norris is worth about $380 million, give or take a million here and there, the young F1 contender has it made in the shade. For sure, he'd much prefer to hit the track and make his competitors eat dust, not only for the sake of adrenalin, but to ensure McLaren gets their money's worth. If he's able to elevate his championship ranking into the top five this season would be great, clinching a win would be the icing on the cake. If that is achieved, he might well be worth the team's investment.
Sources: GQ, FiA, AC Knowledge, Sports Khabri, Monte-Carlo Real Estate, Expatistan, News.MC