Jason Plato at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $10 Million
- Birthdate: October 14, 1967
- Birthplace: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
- Profession: Racing driver, television presenter
- Nationality: British
Table of Contents
What is Jason Plato’s Net Worth?
Jason Plato has a net worth of $10 million. He is a British auto racing driver and television presenter who built his fortune primarily through a dominant and lengthy career in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Plato is a two-time BTCC Champion and holds the all-time record for the most race wins in the series, making him one of the most successful and recognizable figures in UK motorsport history.
His wealth is not solely from racing. A significant portion of his income and public profile comes from his long-running television career. Plato has been a main presenter on the popular Channel 5 motoring show Fifth Gear since 2004. He has also authored a book, How Not to Be a Professional Racing Driver, and is involved in brand ambassadorships and a marketing agency, Brand Pilot Ltd.
Early Life
Timothy Jason Plato was born in Oxford, England, on October 14, 1967. After attending The King’s School in Tynemouth, he began his motorsport journey in karting, where he won a British Championship in 1989. This success propelled him into single-seater racing. Plato competed in Formula Renault, winning the Formula Renault Eurocup in 1991, and also raced in British Formula 3. His dominant victory in the 1996 Renault Spider Cup earned him his professional break into touring cars.
Career
Jason Plato entered the British Touring Car Championship in 1997 with the Williams-Renault team, making an immediate impact by finishing third in the championship during his rookie season. He joined the Vauxhall team in 2000 and secured his first BTCC Championship title in 2001.
After his championship win, Plato took a brief hiatus from the series. He competed in the British ASCAR stock car championship and worked as a driver coach for SEAT. This coaching role led to his return to the BTCC in 2004 as the lead driver for the new SEAT Sport UK works team. Plato was a consistent championship contender, finishing as vice-champion in 2006 and 2007.
In 2009, he moved to the RML Chevrolet team, a partnership that led to his second and final championship title in 2010. Following his time with Chevrolet, Plato had successful stints with MG KX Momentum Racing, where he helped the team secure the Manufacturers’ title in 2014, and later with Team BMR, driving their Subaru Levorg.
Plato competed in his final BTCC season in 2022 with BTC Racing. He retired from the sport as a legend, holding the championship record for the most overall race wins (97) and having achieved 12 top-three finishes in the final championship standings.
Television Career
Beyond the racetrack, Jason Plato is a well-known television personality. He became a co-presenter on the Channel 5 motoring program Fifth Gear in 2004, where his on-track expertise and charismatic personality translated to a wide audience. His long tenure on the show has made him one of the most familiar faces in automotive broadcasting in the UK.
