Formula 1 salaries live in their own universe. These aren’t just paychecks, they’re power rankings — who the teams value most, who brings sponsorship weight, who holds the leverage. And the gaps are massive: from superstar champions pocketing tens of millions, to rookies making less than an NFL benchwarmer.
The big earners
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — reported $55–60 million a year, before bonuses. His contract runs through 2028 and is packed with performance perks.
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — similar territory, around $50 million+, making him still one of the highest-paid athletes on the planet.
- Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, George Russell — in the $15–25 million band. These are the “franchise players” teams are building around.
The middle class
Drivers like Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Fernando Alonso earn somewhere between $8–12 million per season. Still a fortune — but in F1 terms, they’re not at the Hamilton/Verstappen stratosphere.
The rookies & seat-fillers
At the bottom end, rookies or second-seat drivers (think Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto) often earn in the $1–2 million range — still far more than most sports, but tiny compared to their superstar teammates. Some bring heavy sponsorship backing to secure their spot, which can make actual salaries even lower.
The drivertalk take
Driver pay is pure market dynamics: performance, leverage, and timing. Verstappen and Hamilton can name their price because they’re proven title winners. A rookie? They’re lucky to cover Monaco rent. But don’t feel too bad — even at the bottom of the scale, F1 salaries keep drivers in the global sports elite.
