Formula 1 is not just a sport; it’s a way of life and entertainment for most people. But have you ever thought about how much an F1 driver earns? Well, whatever figure came to your mind is definitely not it. It’s more. Some of these star F1 drivers earn more than some Hollywood stars as well.
And it’s well deserved, too, as they literally bet on their lives every single time they come on the grid. Moreover, if it was not enough, F1 also became more popular due to the upcoming “F1 The Movie” starring Brad Pitt. This made fans go crazy and gave F1 drivers the much-deserved spotlight. So let’s take a look at the top 10 highest paid F1 drivers.
Top 10 Highest Paid F1 Drivers
10. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) – $7 million
Starting with number 10, we have Nico Hulkenberg, who earns $7 million with Sauber. The German veteran is known for his consistency and technical insight and continues to bring experience to the team.
9. Alex Albon (Williams) – $8 million
Alex Albon is now firmly established at Williams and earns $8 million. His performance outshone the car’s capabilities, earning him respect throughout the paddock, making him one of the highest paid F1 drivers.
8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – $10 million
Pierre Gasly matches Sainz with a $10 million salary at Alpine, despite being inconsistent with the results. His ability to extract strong results from challenging situations has made him a reliable and quick driver.
7. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – $10 million
Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams was among the most-talked-about things in F1. The team welcomed him with a $10 million paycheck, making him one of the highest paid F1 drivers.
6. George Russell (Mercedes) – $15 million
George Russell’s steady rise to the top has earned him a $15 million salary at Mercedes. As the team gets used to the absence of Lewis Hamilton, his experience is seen as a key asset to the team.
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – $20 million
Lando Norris, McLaren’s star driver, has quickly become one of F1’s most formidable forces. He’s earning $20 million in 2025, making him one of the richest drivers on the grid.
4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – $20 million
Fernando Alonso, or the “rookie,” is earning $20 million, making him one of the highest paid F1 drivers in 2025. Despite being one of the oldest drivers on the grid, his hunger for success remains untouched.
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – $34 million
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s very own star driver, is earning a $34 million salary in 2025 despite being way less successful as compared to others. Even though he’s no longer the team’s top-paid driver, his fan base and qualifying prowess make him a central figure in F1.
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2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – $60 million
Lewis Hamilton is another very obvious name on the list of the highest paid F1 drivers. His high-profile move to Ferrari not only made headlines due to the shift from Mercedes to Ferrari but also due to the million-dollar deal that came with it. The seven-time world champion is earning $60 million this season, establishing his dominance in yet another F1 scene.
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – $65 million
As expected, Max Verstappen is again at the top of another F1 record list, and this time, it’s the highest paid F1 drivers. He remains the sole leader of this list, with a reported $65 million in 2025. He has been the face of Red Bull and has won multiple world championships. He’s a global superstar known for his aggressive driving style and consistency in delivering results under any circumstances. This makes him a very well-deserved name on the list. So, to answer your question, who’s the highest paid F1 driver? It’s none other than Max Verstappen.
List Of Highest Paid F1 Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – $65 million
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – $60 million
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – $34 million
4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – $20 million
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – $20 million
6. George Russell (Mercedes) – $15 million
7. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – $10 million
8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – $10 million
9. Alex Albon (Williams) – $8 million
10. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) – $7 million
Also Read: From Rookie to Podium: 4 Youngest Podium Finishers In F1 History
