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Australian Rich List 2025: The Billionaires Fueling Motorsport
The Intersection Of Wealth And Motorsport Is More Entwined Than You Might Think. Australia’s annual rich list, a barometer of the nation’s financial elite, reveals some surprising connections to the high-speed world of racing. While none of these individuals amassed thier fortunes directly through motorsport, many have found themselves involved as team owners, sponsors, drivers, or track owners.
Formula 1 Connections
Several Prominent Figures On The List Have Significant Ties To Formula 1. Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes, the co-founders of software giant Atlassian, are now title sponsors of the Williams F1 team as of 2025. Their combined wealth places them among the top echelon of Australia’s richest.
Ed Craven,another Aussie,co-founded Stake and Kick,major backers of Sauber F1. Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s Fortescue Metals made headlines in 2022 when it acquired Williams Advanced Engineering, an F1 offshoot, primarily for its advanced battery technology. These investments highlight the growing interest in motorsport innovation.
Local Motorsport moguls
Beyond F1, Several Rich Listers Have Invested Heavily In Australian Motorsport. It’s worth noting that in 2025, a net worth of at least $747 million was required to crack the top 200.
Key Figures in Australian Motorsport
| Name | Rank (Rich List 2025) | Wealth (USD Billions) | Motorsport Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsay Fox | 26 | 5.73 | Owner of Phillip Island Grand prix Circuit |
| Laurence Escalante | 35 | 4.50 | sponsor of Ferrari F1, owner of Arise Racing Ferrari squad |
| Betty klimenko, Monica Saunders-Weinberg & Family | 49 | 3.10 | Founder of Erebus Motorsport |
| Tony Perich & Family | 54 | 2.86 | Former owner of Oran Park Raceway |
| Paul Little | 70 | 2.34 | Former chairman of Australian Grand Prix Corporation |
| Khalill Shain & Family | 95 | 1.74 | owner of The Bend Motorsport Park |
| Craig, Lauren, Ryan Sutton & Family | 102 | 1.70 | Supplier to Triple Eight Racing |
| Justin & Bettina Hemmes & Family | 113 | 1.58 | Former GT Performance Car Champion |
| Adrian portelli | 122 | 1.41 | Sponsor of Garry Rogers Motorsport |
| Neville Crichton | 145 | 1.14 | Former Bathurst 1000 driver, owns Ateco Group |
| Denis Wagner & Family | 154 | 1.07 | Built Wellcamp Airport (used for Supercars testing) |
| Tony Walls | 165 | 0.983 | Sponsors racing cars driven by himself and son Jackson |
lindsay fox, ranked 26th, made his fortune through the Linfox trucking empire. Since 2004, he has owned the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, home to the Australian MotoGP.
laurence Escalante, ranked 35th, runs Virtual gaming Worlds (VGW), an online gambling company. VGW sponsors the Ferrari F1 team, with branding visible on the cars and driver apparel. His Lance East Exotics also supports the Arise Racing Ferrari squad in GT world Challenge Australia.
Betty Klimenko and The Saunders-Weinberg Family, ranked 49th, are well-known in motorsport circles. Klimenko founded Erebus Motorsport,a team with two Bathurst 1000 wins and a Supercars Championship under its belt.
Tony Perich & Family,ranked 54th,made their fortune in agriculture and property. They previously owned Oran Park Raceway, a Sydney circuit, from 1983 until its closure in 2010.
Paul Little, ranked 70th, is the former boss of Toll Holdings. He chaired the Australian Grand Prix Corporation from 2019 to 2022 and was a porsche Cup driver and Supercars team owner.
Khalill, Sam, and Yasser Shahin, ranked 95th, run the Peregrine Corporation, which owns The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Sam and Yasser are also keen racers, with Yasser competing in the World Endurance Championship.
Craig, Lauren, and Ryan Sutton & Family, ranked 102nd, oversee the Sutton Motors empire. Craig Sutton is a regular presence in Triple Eight’s garage, and the company is a major supplier to the team.
Justin & Bettina Hemmes & family, ranked 113th, manage the Merivale hospitality empire. Justin Hemmes himself won the 2004 GT Performance Car Championship.
Adrian Portelli,ranked 122nd,is known for his appearances on “The Block.” He promotes his online club, LMCT+, through Garry Rogers motorsport sponsoring drivers in TCR and Trans Am.
Neville Crichton, ranked 145th, owns the Ateco Group, which imports Maserati, RAM, LDV, Renault, and Alpine vehicles into Australia.Crichton also has five Bathurst 1000 starts to his name.
Denis Wagner & Family,ranked 154th,built Wellcamp Airport,which was used for Supercars’ Gen3 aero testing.
Tony Walls, ranked 165th, founded Objective Corporation. Objective branding has been featured on the racing cars driven by Walls and his son,Jackson,who competes in the Super2 Series.
The Enduring Allure of Motorsport Investments
Motorsport offers a unique blend of brand exposure, technological innovation, and personal passion that appeals to high-net-worth individuals. Sponsorships, team ownership, and track development offer substantial returns beyond pure profit.
The Future Of Motorsport Investment Is Likely To see Increased Focus On Sustainability And Technology.As the automotive industry shifts toward electric vehicles and sustainable practices, motorsport is also adapting. This creates new opportunities for investors
