McLaren CEO Zak Brown received over $110 million in total compensation for the 2025 financial year. This substantial sum coincided with McLaren’s success in securing both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships during the 2025 Formula 1 season. The compensation package positions Brown among the highest-paid executives in global sports.
Brown’s 2025 earnings included a base salary of $10.84 million, an increase from $7.78 million in 2024. The majority of his remuneration, $99.25 million, stemmed from the team’s long-term incentive plan. This marked a significant rise from his $49 million total compensation in 2024.
The long-term incentive plan is a cash-settled compensation structure. It is directly linked to McLaren’s multi-year targets, encompassing revenue growth, debt control, profitability, and liquidity. On-track performance, including championship victories, also forms a critical component of this incentive framework.
McLaren Racing’s financial accounts for 2025 revealed a turnover of £588.5 million, equivalent to approximately $779.6 million. This represented a notable increase from £488.9 million in 2024. The revenue surge was primarily attributed to heightened commercial activity and the team’s strong on-track results.
Despite the record turnover, McLaren Racing reported a pre-tax loss of £43.8 million in 2025. This contrasts with a pre-tax profit of £48.5 million in the preceding year. After tax, the company recorded a loss of £17.4 million, reversing a £53.8 million profit from 2024.
Increased administrative costs, largely due to share-based payments, contributed to the operating loss. McLaren also repaid loans associated with cash investments secured during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team’s headcount expanded to 1,246 employees in 2025, up from 1,123 in 2024.
A significant factor in Brown’s 2025 compensation was the exit of MSP Sports Capital as a 33% shareholder in September 2025. Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company and minority shareholder CYVN Holdings acquired MSP’s interest. This transaction valued McLaren at over $5 billion.
MSP Sports Capital initially invested in McLaren in late 2020, when the team was valued at £560 million. The subsequent sale of their stake yielded a return on investment exceeding ten times the original figure. MSP partner Jeff Moorad noted McLaren considered shutting down its F1 team during the pandemic.
McLaren’s on-track dominance in 2025 saw Lando Norris secure his maiden World Drivers’ Championship. The team also clinched its second consecutive Constructors’ Championship, its tenth overall. This marked the first time McLaren had achieved both titles in the same season since 1998.
Norris’s 2025 earnings were estimated at $57.5 million, comprising an $18 million base salary and $39.5 million in performance bonuses. Teammate Oscar Piastri earned an estimated $37.5 million, with a $10 million base salary and $27.5 million in bonuses.
For comparison, Max Verstappen’s 2025 earnings were estimated at $67 million, including a $65 million base salary. Lewis Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, reportedly earned $70.5 million, primarily from a $70 million salary.
“It’s remarkable to be celebrating our second Constructors’ Championship in two years. To be able to secure the 2025 title with six races yet to go is unbelievable.”
Team Principal Andrea Stella made this statement following the 2025 Constructors’ Championship victory. McLaren secured the title at the Singapore Grand Prix with six races remaining in the season.
