Formula 1 is often considered the pinnacle of motorsports. The open-wheel, single-seat formula racing cars have been dazzling generations, and the fandom keeps increasing. An entertaining sport where drivers push some of the best-engineered engines to their maximum potential, resulting in an incredible speed fest in the form of laps around the circuit. From speed to precision and glamour, it brings quite the fandom for drivers.
With the fandom comes a hefty paycheck that makes our F1 drivers some of the richest sportspersons around the world. Even in 2025, the financial landscape of the sport keeps on breaking records. From the staggering sums to the profit they bring to their constructors and F1 overall, here’s a look at the salaries of drivers competing in the F1 2025 season.
Top F1 Salary Earners: Who Leads the Pack?
Just like the last four Drivers’ Championships, we got none other than Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen on the top. With a base salary of $65 million, the Dutchman takes the salary throne as well, thanks to his dominating performance in recent years. This includes the 2022 and 2023 Constructors’ Championships, helping Red Bull reach new heights. 2023 is considered the Year of Max, where he won 19 Grands Prix out of a total of 22. The Dutchman has provided consistent performance for Red Bull, where his other teammates struggled to maintain their driving seat.
At number two, we got Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. The Briton has won a record seven Drivers’ Championships and shares the record with Michael Schumacher. A veteran of the sport, Lewis Hamilton has featured on the F1 grid for 19 consecutive seasons and still remains a favorite for many fans. While the jump from Mercedes to Ferrari was quite the shocker for many, Hamilton is reportedly earning $60 million as his base salary. The figure does not include his performance bonuses. It also does not include the multiple endorsements the Briton does, which increase his total earnings.
Hamilton’s new teammate Charles Leclerc takes the third position. Driving for the Prancing Horse since 2019, the Monégasque driver has been a favorite for the tifosi and takes home $34 million.
F1 Salary for the Ones in the Middle
While Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s earnings make a stark difference compared to Charles Leclerc’s salary, the other drivers might earn less compared to the top three. But despite that, it would be an understatement to say that their salaries are not impressive.
Fernando Alonso, the two-time Drivers’ title winner, has been another veteran in the paddock, along with Hamilton. The Spaniard started his F1 career in 2001 and made consecutive appearances on the grid till 2018 before taking a break. He made a comeback in 2021 and now drives for Aston Martin with the number #14. With 23 years in the circuit, Alonso is reportedly paid $20 million as base salary.
Sharing the same salary spot with him is the relatively younger Lando Norris, who is also paid $20 million by McLaren. Norris finished at number two in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship, giving Max Verstappen tough competition before the Dutchman had the last laugh.
Next up on the list is the new senior driver at Mercedes, George Russell. The Silver Arrows pay their new circuit leader a salary of $15 million, following the departure of Hamilton to Ferrari. The Briton has been justifying his paycheck, helping Mercedes to secure 111 points in the 2025 Constructors’ title along with rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who earns $2 million in his maiden F1 season.
Carlos Sainz Jr. has been aiming to become a smooth operator for Williams Racing. After paving the way for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Sainz takes home a base salary of $10 million from his new employers. His Thai teammate Alexander Albon, meanwhile, is paid $8 million in 2025. Similar to Carlos Sainz Jr., Alpine provides the same paycheck of $10 million to Pierre Gasly.
How Other Experienced Drivers Fare?
Nico Hulkenberg made the jump from Haas to Kick Sauber. His replacement Esteban Ocon took his seat, joining Haas from Alpine. Both drivers earn $7 million from their new employers. Meanwhile, McLaren pays its current Drivers’ leader Oscar Piastri $6 million. Looking at the current season, the Australian is giving his teammate Lando Norris, defending champion Max Verstappen, and other drivers a run for their money.
Lance Stroll takes the next spot. Aston Martin pays number #18, Lance Stroll, $3 million. His father, Lawrence Stroll, reportedly owns a 26.23% share of Aston Martin.
F1 Salary of the Rookies
Making their debut on the 2025 grid are the rookies, who start with significantly lower salaries. Yuki Tsunoda, who has been featuring for Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls (or Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team), recently earned a much-awaited promotion to Red Bull, accompanying the four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen. The Japanese driver reportedly earns $2 million as his base salary. This does not include his $22 million signing bonus.
The 2024 Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto signed for Kick Sauber, joining Nico Hülkenberg. The Brazilian rookie made his F1 debut this year with a $2 million base salary. For RB’s Liam Lawson and Haas’ new member Oliver Bearman, the salary stands at $1 million. Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Lawson’s teammate at RB, Isack Hadjar, are reportedly earning between $500,000 and $1 million from their new employers.
