F1 drivers salaries : How much do they earn?

Discover the 2025 F1 drivers salaries of all drivers, from Verstappen, the Ferrari duo until rookies. Find out who earns the most and how contracts vary across teams

It would be interesting to know how much each driver invested in their career before they started earning serious money in the motorsport elite. And the numbers would likely surprise many, as motorsport is not only dangerous but even more expensive. In fact, what most drivers earn in their first 5 years in Formula 1 likely goes toward covering the investments made during the first 10 years of their career. Just one season in world-level karting can cost between €100,000 and €200,000 — not including extra expenses. But we’ll cover that in another article.

What contracts have F1 drivers signed for 2025 with their teams? First, a disclaimer: these figures do not include external sponsorship deals, but only the base salary offered by the team under contract to race for them. Final earnings can therefore vary significantly depending on a driver’s popularity and other factors.

F1 drivers salaries: Verstappen on top

Max Verstappen is currently the highest-paid driver on the grid, thanks to a massive deal with Red Bull that runs through 2028. After securing four world championships with the team, the Dutch driver earns an estimated €65 million per year. Rumors once swirled that the Saudi-backed Aston Martin ownership was willing to offer 1 billion to lure him away from Red Bull — but whether that’s truth or myth remains unclear.

Close behind Verstappen F1 drivers salaries is Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari. Despite his age, the seven-time world champion signed a lucrative deal worth around 60 million per year. The contract is structured as a 1+1 year agreement, with the optional second year very likely to be activated. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is believed to earn approximately $34 million annually. His Ferrari contract is reportedly open-ended, allowing him to decide when to walk away and seek a new challenge.

The most experienced earn very well

Fernando Alonso: The oldest driver on the grid alongside Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso continues to earn handsomely. With 2 world championships, over 20 years of experience, and more than 420 Grand Prix starts under his belt, the Oviedo-born driver brings home around €20 million per year. That’s hardly an issue for Aston Martin‘s wealthy Saudi-backed ownership and team boss Lawrence Stroll. On the other hand, Lance Stroll, likely supported by family backing, is estimated to earn a more modest €2–3 million per year.

Nico Hülkenberg: After finally scoring his long-awaited podium in 2025, Hülkenberg has shown — along with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto — that Sauber means business. For his efforts, the Swiss team reportedly pays the experienced German driver €7 million per year, a solid figure for a midfield team.

Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri: The salary gap between the two McLaren teammates is striking. Lando Norris is reportedly earning around €20 million for the 2025 season, while Oscar Piastri — who is currently leading the championship — receives just €6 million, less than a third of his teammate’s salary. It’s likely that McLaren has made some adjustments during the season to better reflect Oscar’s outstanding performance, though nothing official has been disclosed.

Mercedes, Williams & the Rookies

Williams has secured a solid driver lineup for 2025. Carlos Sainz earns around €10 million, while Alex Albon follows closely with €8 million. Both are delivering consistent performances, and their salaries reflect their experience and results. As always in F1, these figures can vary year to year depending on bonuses, wins, and contract clauses.

At Mercedes, George Russell now holds veteran status within the team, with a salary of approximately €13 million. His rookie teammate, Kimi Antonelli, is already making headlines — not just for his talent, but also for his pay: €2 million, making him (alongside Bortoleto) the highest-paid rookie on the grid.

Among the other F1 drivers salaries the rookies, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, and Liam Lawson earn between €500k and €1 million annually — solid numbers for their first full F1 seasons, with potential to rise based on performance and future contracts.