Advertisment

Top 10 Highest paid Formula 1 drivers in 2025- Lewis Hamilton is not Number 1

F1 is a high-risk game and people risk their lives for racing and finishing first. They are also highly paid professionals earning millions of dollars yearly.

author-image
Venkatakrishnan
Updated On
New Update
Top 10 Highest paid Formula 1 drivers

Top 10 Highest paid Formula 1 drivers Photograph: (Instagram)

F1 drivers are some of the highly paid sports personalities in the world. They take the highest risk of racing and to credit them Formula 1 teams pay them very well. These drivers also earn huge amounts through advertisements, brand ambassadorships, social media, and many other activities.

Advertisment

But regardless of what, they are the highest risk takers because Formula 1 cars are the world's fastest on race tracks. The 2025 season starts in Australia in March and F1 teams have already confirmed their lineups for this season. There will be 5 rookies driving in 2025 and they are the least paid. Let us see the highest earners in F1 this year.

Here are the top 10 highly paid Formula 1 drivers of the 2025 season:

10. Esteban Ocon 

Esteban Ocon is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The French Formula 1 racing driver finished in P2 in the toughest race last year. Under extreme conditions in Brazil at the Interlagos circuit, Ocon finished on the podium alongside his teammate. Alpine Team's momentum changed after that and they ended up in Sixth place by beating the Haas. This year Esteban will lend his services to the American team Haas and for that, Esteban will be getting $6 Million as a salary.

9. Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The Alpine team's lonely star Pierre Gasly had an amazing year in 2024. The French driver finished on the podium alongside his teammate Esteban Ocon and best mate Max Verstappen in Brazil. It helped Alpine to finish in 6th place in the overall constructors ranking earning the team some more millions. For all these, he is credited with $12 Million.

8. Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The ex-Ferrari driver had a superb season in 2024 alongside his old teammate Charles Leclerc bringing Ferrari closer to a championship win. He is the most consistent and underrated F1 driver. But this year he will be wearing different colours for the Williams Racing team. For all his experience and talent Sainz will be receiving a salary of $19 million.

7. Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The Australian driver was very impressive last year as he won 2 races in Hungary and Azerbaijan. He also stood as a backbone for McLaren to win the constructors championship after 26 years. His outstanding contributions to McLaren have brought Oscar Piastri a whooping base salary of $22 million.

6. George Russell

George Russell is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The British driver is now the leader of the Silver Arrows and will be the lead man to charge at his rivals. Russell wants to win the world championship and Mercedes also wants to bring back their glory days. They are betting heavily on George and he will be getting a salary of $23 million.

5. Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The Monegasque has been the number 1 driver for Ferrari over the last six seasons. But this year it could change with Hamilton’s arrival. He is also the one who helped them finish P2 in the constructors championship. The biggest thing about Leclerc is he always keeps Ferrari in the championship fight. Ferrari is paying him $27 million as a driver's salary.

4. Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The Veteran and the oldest Formula 1 driver on the grid, Fernando Alonso is still among the top 5 quickest drivers in the grid. We do not know how he keeps the form and hunger alive after racing for two decades. The Spaniard is the number 1 driver at Aston Martin and is battling for his third Formula 1 title. For all his experience and knowledge, Alonso is paid around $27.5 million as a salary.

3. Lando Norris

Lando Norris is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

Last year's emerging driver was definitely Lando Norris as he challenged Max Verstappen for the ultimate world title. If he had started his run a few races earlier who knows he could have become the world champion. But he played a big role in McLaren’s constructors win and they also believe him to be a future world champion maybe even this year. He is getting paid around $35 million as a salary.

2. Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The F1 legend and 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton shocked the entire Formula 1 world by moving into Ferrari for the 2025 season. His 13-year journey with the Mercedes team ended on a high after he finished fourth at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ferrari is betting big on Lewis Hamilton and they are dreaming of becoming the world champion again after 16 years. They are paying him $57 million as a salary.

1. Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is one of the highest Paid Formula 1 drivers

The Highest-paid F1 driver is still the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. He won the Formula 1 world title four times and is just 27. This year will be a tough challenge for him but the Dutch driver is known for emerging victorious.

Verstappen was the biggest reason for Red Bull to stay in contention last year even though they are the third-fastest team. Max is the difference between winning and losing for them. So they are paying him very well with a jaw-dropping $75 million a year.

Top 10 highest paid F1 drivers 2025 season

Rankings

F1 Driver 

Salary

1. Max Verstappen 75 Million $
2. Lewis Hamilton 57 Million $
3. Lando Norris 35 Million $
4. Fernando Alonso 27.5 Million $
5. Charles Leclerc 27 Million $
6. George Russell 23 Million $
7. Oscar Piastri 22 Million $
8. Carlos Sainz 19 Million $
9. Pierre Gasly 12 Million $
10. Estaban Ocon 6 Million $

 

Also Read: Top 5 Most Iconic F1 Liveries Ever

FAQ

1. How much does Max Verstappen earn as salary?

The four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen earns $ 75 million a year as a salary and is the highest-paid driver on the grid. 

2. Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 salary at Ferrari?

The British driver earns $ 57 million as his salary at Ferrari. But the 7-time world champion values more than that as he earns more through advertisements and businesses.

3. Which drivers are the highest paid in Formula 1?

Drivers like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc are the highest-paid drivers in Formula 1. They have been on the scene for many years now and have earned a lot of money in their careers so far.

4. Are Formula 1 drivers earning more than footballers?

No, but they are one of the most highly paid sports athletes in the world. They are getting paid heavily because of the risks involved in their job. Also, unlike Football, F1 is yet to get a global audience which will increase its popularity and racers will also start getting paid more.

5. What are Formula 1 driver’s salaries and bonuses?

F1 drivers get a salary for their driving. They will receive bonuses if they finish on the podium or help the team win races or championships.

Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Charles Leclerc Red Bull Ferrari F1
Advertisment
Advertisment