Lewis Hamilton’s name change shock, Monaco winner’s net worth, F1 star’s dating history
Sir Lewis Hamilton has once again been named as the UK’s richest active sportsperson, but the F1 star’s life has seen a lot happen away from the track
Formula One ace Sir Lewis Hamilton has once again topped the list as the UK’s wealthiest active sportsman, according to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List. The seven-time world champion was previously ranked as the 350th richest individual in the UK, boasting a staggering net worth of £350million.
However, following his lucrative switch from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula One World Championship, his fortune has skyrocketed, with his net worth now estimated at £385m, placing him 324th on the list. Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari sent shockwaves through the F1 community, especially since he had inked a two-year contract with Mercedes the previous summer before opting to activate a one-year break clause.
The 40-year-old is reportedly set to pocket an eye-watering £50m annually with his new team, having agreed to a two-season contract with an option for a third in 2027. This salary shatters the record for the highest F1 pay packet ever, a record previously held by Max Verstappen last season when he earned a base salary of £47m, reports Wales Online.
Hamilton’s earnings could potentially exceed his £50m salary, as this figure is not thought to include performance bonuses, meaning it could significantly increase if the season proves successful. However, after six races with Ferrari, the British star has yet to secure a podium finish, with his fourth placed finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being his best performance with the Scuderia.
He clinched his last World Championship title in 2020, equalling Michael Schumacher’s seven-world-title record and solidifying his status as one of the greatest racing drivers ever. Since then, there’s been plenty of buzz around Hamilton’s life off the circuit, including whispers about his romantic connections with various A-list celebrities and even chatter about him considering a name change. Mirror Sport takes you through some of these occurrences.
Hamilton made headlines when he announced a surprise name change. In 2021, after being knighted for his contributions to motorsport, Hamilton brought along his mother Carmen, who separated from his father Anthony during his childhood, to witness his knighthood ceremony conducted by King Charles at Windsor Castle.
The year after his knighthood, Hamilton disclosed his intentions to honour his mother in an impactful way, declaring that he was in the process of legally adopting her maiden name, Larbalestier, into his own as a middle name. He said: “None of you might know that my mum’s [sur]name is Larbalestier, and I’m just about to put that in my name.
“Because I don’t really fully understand the whole idea of why, when people get married, the woman loses her name. I really want her name to continue on with the Hamilton name.”
