Breaking:Lando Norris Eyes Verstappen and Hamilton-Level P…. read more 👇 full details in the comments section 

Lando Norris Eyes Verstappen and Hamilton-Level P…. read more 👇 full details in the comments section

Lando Norris has admitted that he would like to earn the kind of money commanded by Formula 1 superstars Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, despite recently signing a lucrative new contract with McLaren.

The 26-year-old has committed his long-term future to the Woking-based team, signing a deal that is expected to keep him at McLaren until at least 2030. If he completes that agreement, Norris will have spent the entirety of his Formula 1 career with the team.

Reports suggest the new contract will earn Norris around £30 million ($40 million) per year. While that represents an enormous salary by ordinary standards, it remains significantly below the figures reportedly being earned by two of F1’s biggest names.

Verstappen is understood to be receiving approximately £78 million ($107 million) annually from Red Bull under his latest agreement, while Hamilton is reportedly earning around £45 million ($60 million) at Ferrari. The seven-time world champion could also be in line for an even bigger salary if he extends his Ferrari contract.

Norris has therefore found himself in an unusual position. He is now a world champion, yet he is not the highest-paid driver on the Formula 1 grid.

Speaking about his salary, Norris acknowledged that he understands why his earnings do not currently match those of Hamilton and Verstappen. However, he also believes his performances demonstrate that he deserves to be considered alongside them.

The McLaren driver explained that he feels capable of competing with both champions and believes he can sometimes outperform them. At the same time, he accepted that Hamilton and Verstappen have achieved considerably more throughout their careers.

Norris’s comments highlight the complicated nature of driver salaries in Formula 1. Performance is obviously important, but it is not the only factor that determines a driver’s value to a team.

Commercial appeal, worldwide popularity, marketing opportunities, sponsorship potential and a driver’s overall profile can all influence how much a team is willing to pay.

Hamilton provides perhaps the clearest example. His success has transformed him from an F1 driver into a global celebrity. His seven world championships, enormous fanbase and extensive commercial partnerships have made him recognisable far beyond the traditional motorsport audience.

That global profile is extremely valuable to Ferrari. Hamilton can help attract new fans, generate merchandise sales, increase media attention and create marketing opportunities that extend well beyond the racetrack.

His celebrity status therefore adds another layer to his financial value. Ferrari is not simply paying for Hamilton’s ability behind the wheel; the team is also investing in one of the biggest names associated with modern Formula 1.

Verstappen’s situation is somewhat different. The Dutchman generally avoids the celebrity spotlight to a greater degree than Hamilton, but his sporting achievements have made him one of the most valuable drivers in the world.

He has established himself as one of the defining talents of his generation and played a major role in ending Hamilton’s period of dominance.

Verstappen’s straightforward personality, aggressive racing style and immense popularity among younger F1 fans have also strengthened his commercial value. Red Bull therefore has plenty of reasons to justify his enormous salary.

Norris is closing the gap, particularly after becoming world champion, but his commercial value has not yet reached the extraordinary levels associated with Hamilton and Verstappen.

That does not necessarily mean McLaren undervalues him. Instead, the team appears to be balancing his sporting potential against his current commercial worth and the financial realities of running an F1 operation.

For Norris, the message is clear: matching Hamilton and Verstappen financially may require more than simply proving he is fast enough to beat them. He will likely need continued championship success, greater global recognition and an even stronger commercial profile.

His new McLaren contract gives him security until 2030. But if Norris continues winning races and championships, the next negotiation could look very different—and the huge salaries currently enjoyed by Hamilton and Verstappen may no longer seem so far away.