Jody Scheckter at a Glance
- Net Worth: $100 Million
- Birthdate: Jan 29, 1950
- Birthplace: East London, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Profession: Former Formula One Driver, Businessman, Farmer
What is Jody Scheckter’s Net Worth?
Jody Scheckter has a net worth of $100 million. The South African is best known as the 1979 Formula One World Drivers’ Champion and remains the only driver from the African continent to ever win the F1 championship. While he amassed significant earnings during his racing career, the vast majority of his fortune comes from a highly successful business venture he founded after retiring from the sport.
Scheckter’s primary wealth driver was Firearms Training Systems (FATS), a company he established in the United States. This business specialized in creating high-tech simulators for firearms and weapons systems training, securing lucrative contracts with police departments and military clients worldwide. Scheckter built the company into a market leader before selling it in the late 1990s. That sale provided the substantial capital base that defines his net worth today.
He has since reinvested a significant portion of his wealth into his passion for organic and biodynamic farming, creating the acclaimed Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire, England.
Early Life
Jody Scheckter was born in East London, South Africa, in 1950. He was exposed to automobiles from a young age, as his father owned a local Renault dealership. This environment, combined with a local racing circuit, sparked his interest in motorsport. Scheckter’s brother, Ian, also became a Formula One driver. In 1970, Scheckter moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a professional racing career, quickly showcasing the aggressive and determined driving style that would define his time in F1.
Career
Jody Scheckter’s Formula One career began in 1972 with a debut for McLaren at the United States Grand Prix. His talent was immediately clear, and he soon earned a full-time drive with the Tyrrell team. Driving for Tyrrell, he secured his first F1 victory at the 1974 Swedish Grand Prix. He famously drove the unconventional six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, which he piloted to victory at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix, remaining the only driver to ever win a race in a six-wheeled F1 car.
In 1977, Scheckter moved to the newly formed Walter Wolf Racing team. He had a remarkable season, winning three races, including the team’s debut race, and ultimately finished second in the World Championship.
His career peaked after joining Ferrari in 1979, partnering with Gilles Villeneuve. Scheckter secured the World Drivers’ Championship that season, clinching the title at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and bringing Ferrari a drivers’ title it would not see again for 21 years. After a difficult 1980 season, Scheckter retired from racing at the young age of 30. Following his retirement, he briefly worked as a broadcaster for sports television.
After stepping away from Formula One, Jody Scheckter moved to the United States and demonstrated his skill as an entrepreneur. He founded Firearms Training Systems (FATS) in 1984. The company revolutionized law enforcement and military training by developing and building sophisticated virtual simulators. These systems allowed personnel to practice in realistic, high-pressure scenarios without using live ammunition. The business was a massive financial success, and Scheckter sold it for a nine-figure sum in the late 1990s, cementing his personal fortune.
Laverstoke Park Farm
Using the capital from his business sale, Jody Scheckter purchased the 2,500-acre Laverstoke Park Farm estate in Hampshire, England. He has since dedicated himself to transforming it into one of the world’s leading biodynamic and organic farms. The farm produces a wide range of products, including high-welfare buffalo mozzarella, meat, and other organic goods, adhering to a “slow-growing” philosophy. The farm has become a celebrated brand in its own right, supplying high-end restaurants and retailers. In 2025, the historic estate was listed for sale with a guide price of £58 million.
