James Calado at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $5 million
- Birthdate: 13 June 1989
- Birthplace: Cropthorne, Worcestershire, England
- Profession: Professional Racing Driver
- Nationality: British
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What is James Calado’s Net Worth?
James Calado has a net worth of $5 million. The British professional racing driver built his fortune almost entirely through his long and successful career in high-level motorsport, most notably as a factory driver for Ferrari.
Calado’s wealth is derived from his professional contracts and race-winning bonuses. He has been a fixture in the Ferrari AF Corse team since 2014, competing in the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). His value as an elite driver is highlighted by his numerous world titles, including the 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2025 WEC GT championships.
A significant part of his career earnings and status comes from his success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After winning his class in 2019 and 2021, Calado co-piloted the #51 Ferrari 499P to the overall victory at the historic centenary race in 2023. This victory, Ferrari’s first overall win at Le Mans in 58 years, solidified his legacy and earning potential. In late 2025, his continued success was rewarded with another multi-year contract extension to remain with Ferrari’s Hypercar program.
Early Life
James Calado was born in Cropthorne, Worcestershire, England. His racing career began in 1999 in karting, where he quickly showed promise, winning the British Cadet Championship in 2001. His early career in single-seater racing was supported by the Racing Steps Foundation, a program designed to fund and manage promising British drivers.
Career
After his successful karting career, James Calado transitioned to single-seater cars in 2008, competing in the British Formula Renault Championship and winning the FR2.0 UK Winter Series. He rapidly climbed the junior motorsport ladder, finishing as runner-up in the British Formula 3 Championship in 2010 and the GP3 Series in 2011.
His performance in the GP2 Series from 2012 to 2013, where he secured multiple wins and finished third in the championship, attracted the attention of Formula One. In 2013, Calado served as a test driver for the Sahara Force India F1 Team, participating in several official practice sessions during Grand Prix weekends.
Unable to secure a full-time F1 race seat, Calado made a pivotal career shift in 2014, joining Ferrari as a factory driver for its GT racing program with AF Corse in the FIA World Endurance Championship. This move proved to be immensely successful. Paired with teammate Alessandro Pier Guidi, Calado became one of the most dominant drivers in the LMGTE Pro class, winning the world championship title in 2017, 2021, and 2022.
When Ferrari launched its 499P Hypercar program to compete for overall victories, Calado was retained as a core driver. This decision culminated in the team’s historic overall win at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. He continued this momentum, winning the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship in the Hypercar category.
