How Much do Formula 1 Drivers Earn? The Shocking Salary Difference Between The Greatest Revealed

The 2025 Formula 1 season is just around the corner, and fans are not only excited about the competition but also about the recently revealed driver salaries. According to the specialized website RacingNews365, there is a clear difference in earnings between the top drivers and those with more modest contracts. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton lead the list with multimillion-dollar figures.

Verstappen, with his dominance on the track, is the highest-paid driver, with a base salary of 65 million dollars annually from his contract with Red Bull. Close behind is Hamilton, who, after his move to Ferrari, earns 60 million dollars. Together, they account for nearly half of the total salary pool for the 20 drivers on the grid.

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In third place is Charles Leclerc, who earns 34 million dollars a year. The Monegasque, although far from the figures of the champions, remains one of the most valued drivers on the Ferrari team, solidifying his position as a key figure in Formula 1.

The middle-high segment of the grid

Drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris occupy the middle-high segment, with salaries around 20 million dollars. These veterans, along with Leclerc, stand out as the most important drivers outside of the big champions, showing the difference with the lower salaries on the grid.

The salary estimates are based on sources within the paddock, as teams typically do not disclose contract details. According to these calculations, Hamilton, with his bonuses and off-track deals, could exceed 100 million dollars in total, placing him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Younger drivers like Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, and Gabriel Bortoleto have significantly lower salaries, ranging from 500,000 to 1 million dollars. However, their potential in the future of Formula 1 could lead them to much higher figures.

This salary disparity not only reflects the talent and experience of the drivers but also the complex negotiations behind each Formula 1 contract, where sponsors and off-track deals play a crucial role.