Formula 1 attracts millions of viewers not only through on-track competition. The amounts teams pay their drivers generate as much excitement as the races themselves, and the differences between the top and the rest of the field can be shocking. The question of how much an F1 driver earns returns every season as new contracts and transfers change the balance of power in the field.
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Top earners – who takes the most
Max Verstappen has remained at the top of the list for several seasons. The Dutchman, tied to Red Bull by a long-term contract, collects an annual sum of around 60-65 million dollars. The question of how much Max Verstappen earns is most frequently asked among fans following the transfer market – and it’s no wonder, as the three-time world champion has been unrivaled in terms of earnings for several years, even though Hamilton took his title in 2024, and Norris in 2025.
Just behind him is Lewis Hamilton with a salary of 50-60 million dollars annually at Ferrari. Charles Leclerc takes third place – Charles Leclerc’s earnings are approximately 34 million dollars.
| Driver | Team | Estimated salary (million USD) |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 60-65 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 50-60 |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 34 |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 20 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 15-18 |
| Carlos Sainz | Williams | 10 |
| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 10 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 2-3 |
What makes up a driver’s salary
An F1 driver’s remuneration is much more than the basic salary stated in the contract – bonuses for points, podiums, and victories are added to the fixed salary. Importantly, these sums are not subject to the budget cap, which allows teams to access funds from external commercial partners outside of the sport itself. A key source of such budgets today are global sponsorship contracts with the digital entertainment sector, which invests millions in sports marketing to build consumer trust. Independent expert portals facilitate the verification of such platforms by regularly publishing objective rankings, indicating the best online casinos based on RTP indicators, licenses held, and transaction security standards. As a result, the influx of sponsorship capital into Formula 1 is constantly growing, directly shaping the value of contracts signed by top drivers.
Beyond sponsorship, media rights and ticket revenues also play a significant role, fueling team budgets and, indirectly, drivers’ pockets. The higher the viewership of a given Grand Prix, the larger the pool of money to be distributed among the teams.
Rookies start modestly
The contrast between the top earners and newcomers is enormous. Young drivers like Kimi Antonelli or Gabriel Bortoleto start their careers with salaries ranging from 1-3 million dollars annually. This is still an impressive amount for a rookie, but the chasm compared to Verstappen’s 60 million shows how unevenly capital is distributed in this sport.
Drivers from youth academies usually sign their first contracts under much more modest terms than the stars of the field. Only after several successful seasons and solid results can they expect contract renegotiations closer to the earnings of the leaders – as was the case, for example, with Leclerc, who just a few years ago earned a fraction of his current salary.
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Which teams spend the most on drivers
The structure of team expenditures shows a clear hierarchy:
- Ferrari – highest total salary budget thanks to the Hamilton-Leclerc duo
- Red Bull Racing – Verstappen’s contract consumes most of the sum
- McLaren – Norris and Piastri receive similar, competitive salaries
- Aston Martin – Alonso accounts for the lion’s share of the team’s budget
- Mercedes, Williams, Alpine – mid-field with salaries in the 5-18 million dollar range
- Audi, Haas, Racing Bulls – lowest salary budgets, dominated by rookies
Differences between teams result not only from the financial capabilities of the owners but also from strategy – some teams focus on one star and pay them the majority of the budget, while others distribute funds more evenly between both drivers.
Summary
F1 drivers’ earnings are growing year by year, driven by team competition for the best names in the field and increasing sponsor interest in the entire spectacle. However, the basic salary is only part of the puzzle – performance bonuses, share of merchandising profits, and personal advertising contracts can double, and sometimes even triple, the official amount stated in the team contract.
There is a clear division into three groups: the absolute top, led by Verstappen and Hamilton, where amounts are counted in tens of millions of dollars; the mid-field with salaries in the range of several million; and rookies who are just building their negotiating position. However, this hierarchy changes dynamically – just one successful season, a transfer to a better team, or a series of victories is enough to radically jump to a higher earning league, as has happened in recent years with Leclerc or Norris.
For fans following the transfer market, the topic of earnings is a fascinating read in itself – as engaging as the on-track results, and often providing a better picture of who truly rules Formula 1 beyond the sporting competition itself.
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