While McLaren‘s recent title win marks a huge milestone in the team’s history, it also comes with substantial financial implications including a hefty 2025 F1 entry fee.
The Woking-based team, which secured its first title in 26 years, now faces an entry fee of $6,115,429 (£4.8 million) for the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season. This fee represents a dramatic increase compared to previous years and highlights the financial dynamics at play within Formula 1.
FIA’s 2025 F1 fee structure includes a base entry fee which for the upcoming season is set at $680,203. Adding to this, teams are charged per point scored in the Constructors’ Championship.
For McLaren, who scored an impressive total of 666 points in 2024, this translates into an additional cost of $8,161 per point due to their championship-winning status. This formula results in McLaren’s total entry fee being significantly higher compared to that of their rivals.
To put this into perspective, McLaren’s 2025 F1 entry fee is nearly as much as what they have paid over the last three years combined—approximately $6.4 million. This sharp increase from their previous fees highlights the financial implications of their success on the track.
In contrast, other teams like Red Bull Racing will see a decrease in their entry fees after finishing lower in the standings; Their 2025 F1 entry fee has dropped to $4.7 million from last year’s $7.4 million.
The financial dynamics within Formula 1 are complex and often reflect a team’s competitive performance on the track. While McLaren celebrates its return to the top after years of struggle, they also face new financial realities that come with being champions.
The increased entry fee is often referred to as a “success tax,” which serves as a reminder that winning at this level comes with significant costs.
Despite the financial burden of McLaren’s 2025 F1 entry fee, the team stands to benefit substantially from their championship win through increased prize money. For instance, they are expected to receive around $140 million in prize money for their performance in 2024, compared to Ferrari’s $131 million and Red Bull’s reduced prize pool of $122 million following their drop in standings.
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The FIA is projected to collect approximately $25.8 million from all ten teams combined for the 2025 season, marking an increase of nearly $2 million from the previous year and reflecting a broader trend of rising costs within the sport.
Ferrari and Mercedes will also face increased 2025 F1 entry fees due to their standings. Ferrari will pay approximately $5.1 million reflecting an increase of nearly $1.8 million from last year while, Mercedes’ fee has risen slightly to about $3.9 million.
Interestingly, lower-performing teams such as Aston Martin and Alpine will see reductions in their fees as they adjust to their positions in the standings; Aston Martin’s fee has dropped significantly due to a poor points tally compared to previous seasons.
2025 F1 entry fees
| Team | 2024 entry fee | 2025 entry fee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren | $2,643,487 | $6,115,429 | + $3,471,942 |
| Ferrari | $3,327.287 | $5,113,151 | + $1,785,864 |
| Red Bull | $7,445,819 | $4,684,814 | – $2,761,005 |
| Mercedes | $3,347,012 | $3,862,135 | + $515,123 |
| Aston Martin | $2,498,837 | $1,319,309 | – $1,179,528 |
| Alpine | $1,446,837 | $1,122,138 | – $324,699 |
| Haas | $736,737 | $1,074,545 | + $337,808 |
| Racing Bulls | $822,212 | $992,957 | + $110,745 |
| Williams | $841,937 | $795,786 | – $46,151 |
| Stake/Sauber | $785,403 | $707,399 | – $78,004 |
