F1 2025 driver salaries: How much have they earned while you read this article?
- Racing Statistics
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
Formula 1 drivers are among the highest-earning athletes globally, and the 2025 season is no exception. With lucrative contracts, performance-based bonuses, and sponsorship deals, the financial rewards for F1’s top competitors remain immense.
How F1 Drivers Earn Their Salaries
A driver’s salary in Formula 1 isn’t just about a base paycheck. They also receive performance-based bonuses for race results, championship standings, and contributions to their team’s success in the Constructors’ Championship. These incentives make F1 one of the most financially rewarding sports in the world.
See how much money F1 Drivers have earned since you started reading this article, and come back to check the numbers after you finish reading it!
Who Are the Highest-Paid F1 Drivers?
Last year, Forbes listed Max Verstappen as the highest-paid driver in Formula 1, with a $60 million base salary and an additional $15 million in bonuses. In 2025, Verstappen has reportedly increased his total earnings to an astonishing $75 million.
Lewis Hamilton follows closely, securing a $57 million salary with Ferrari. Meanwhile, McLaren’s rising stars, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, significantly boosted their earnings through bonus structures tied to their impressive 2024 performances. Norris, who had a $12 million base salary, reportedly earned a total of $35 million, while Piastri’s earnings rose to $25.9 million after adding $17 million in bonuses to his initial $5 million salary.
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso continues to rank among the highest-paid drivers, with an estimated $27.5 million salary at Aston Martin for 2025.
Do F1 Salaries Count Toward the Budget Cap?
No, driver salaries are not included in Formula 1’s budget cap. While teams must adhere to strict financial limits, the contracts for their two drivers—as well as the three highest-paid team members—are exempt from these regulations. This allows teams to offer competitive salaries without impacting their overall budget allocation.
Who Are the Lowest-Paid Drivers?
Rookie drivers typically earn significantly less than their more experienced counterparts. As they establish themselves in the sport, their salaries are often supplemented by personal sponsors who provide additional financial backing.
For the 2025 season, five rookies—Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, and Isack Hadjar—will be making their full-time debuts in F1, with their reported salaries ranging from $500,000 to $2 million.
Read next: How to watch F1 Live?
Reported F1 2025 Driver Salaries
Below is the latest breakdown of estimated F1 2025 driver salaries, based on reported earnings from 2024 and media sources of 2025 salaries:
Driver | Team | Reported Salary (USD) |
Max Verstappen | Red Bull | $75 million |
Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | $57 million |
Lando Norris | McLaren | $35 million |
Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | $27.5 million |
Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | $27 million |
Oscar Piastri | McLaren | $25.9 million |
George Russell | Mercedes | $23 million |
Carlos Sainz | Williams | $19 million |
Pierre Gasly | Alpine | $12 million |
Esteban Ocon | Haas | $6 million |
Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | $5 million |
Alex Albon | Williams | $3 million |
Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | $3 million |
Liam Lawson | Red Bull | $3 million |
Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | $3 million |
Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | $2 million |
Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | $2 million |
Oliver Bearman | Haas | $1 million |
Jack Doohan | Alpine | $500,000 – $1 million |
Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | $500,000 – $1 million |
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