Lando Norris has spoken candidly about his salary just two days after signing a new long-term deal with McLaren, expressing clear dissatisfaction with his current pay grade.
The 26-year-old world champion put pen to paper on Saturday, securing his future with McLaren until at least 2030, which would represent his 12th season with the Woking outfit.
Norris is reported to be earning £30 million per year under the new deal, a figure that sounds extraordinary but pales in comparison to his rivals at the top of the sport.
Max Verstappen recently signed a new contract with Red Bull worth £78 million per year until 2030, making him comfortably the highest-paid driver on the Formula 1 grid.
Lewis Hamilton is currently earning £45 million per year at Ferrari, with talks over a contract extension ongoing and a further pay rise considered likely.
Norris told the Telegraph: “I mean, I feel I should earn as much as them, but it is certainly not close to the figures that I’ve been seeing online, sadly!”
He added: “Of course, it is a bit more [than the last contract], as it is with any job when you kind of extend. But it’s certainly not close to the level of Lewis or Max.”
Norris acknowledged the gap in achievements, saying: “Which, in a way, it shouldn’t be, because I’ve not achieved as much as what they’ve achieved in their careers.”
Despite that admission, Norris insisted he believes his on-track ability justifies the higher figures, adding: “But in another way, I believe it should be, because I believe I can fight against them whenever I need to, and I can do a better job whenever I need to.”
He remained optimistic about future negotiations, saying: “I’m working on it. I don’t know when my next extension or renewal will be, but hopefully I can try and match [them] one day.”
The reason McLaren will not match those numbers goes well beyond lap times or championship trophies, with commercial value playing a decisive role in determining driver salaries.
Hamilton is one of the most recognisable celebrities on the planet, a global superstar known far beyond the boundaries of motorsport or even sport in general.
His relationship with Kim Kardashian has introduced him to an entirely new audience, amplifying his reach into markets that Formula 1 teams like Ferrari are keen to exploit commercially.
Verstappen, while more private than Hamilton, remains F1’s most dominant driver and a hugely influential figure among younger fans of the sport worldwide.
The Dutchman’s direct and no-nonsense personality has made him blockbuster viewing, generating significant merchandise revenues and a loyal fanbase that stretches well beyond traditional motorsport audiences.
Norris absolutely has a dedicated following, with the famous Lando Stand at Silverstone serving as clear evidence of his growing popularity among British fans.
However, the biggest stories of the 2026 season have centred on Hamilton at Ferrari, Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull, and Fernando Alonso’s future at Aston Martin, with Norris only recently drawing major attention after winning back-to-back grands prix.
Brand recognition remains the fundamental issue, with Hamilton almost universally known, Verstappen close behind, and Norris still building the mainstream awareness required to command elite-level commercial fees.
Until that gap closes, McLaren’s reluctance to match the salaries of Verstappen and Hamilton reflects financial logic rather than any lack of faith in their reigning world champion.
Norris himself seems to understand this reality, acknowledging he has plenty still to prove before those dream salary figures become a genuine possibility.