Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris are among the highest paid athletes on the planet, but who will earn the most in 2026?<\/p>\n
Drivers can earn on top of their base salaries based on their Drivers\u2019 Championship position, where they finish in individual races, if they are part of a championship-winning effort and much more, meaning those who sit at the top of the tree can become extremely high earners.<\/p>\n
Who are the highest-paid drivers in Formula 1?<\/p>\n
For the second year running, prominent business magazine Forbes<\/a> listed Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as the two highest earners in Formula 1.<\/p>\n While Hamilton is thought to have the highest base salary in Formula 1 at a reported $70m, Verstappen\u2019s extra earnings from bonuses put him at the top of the tree for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Behind them, McLaren<\/a> drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri earned significant increases in income owing to bonus payments from McLaren, with both having contributed to the team\u2019s Constructors\u2019 Championship victory for the second season in a row, while new World Champion Norris earned even more for taking home the Drivers\u2019 crown.<\/p>\n Ferrari is thought to spend the most between its two drivers, with McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Red Bull also paying their drivers handsomely.<\/p>\n It is worth noting that, while drivers earn a salary and bonuses through their team, they are also able to supplement their income with personal sponsorship and branding deals away from the circuit.<\/p>\n More about the F1 2026 grid<\/p>\n F1 driver contracts: What is the contract status of every driver on the 2026 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n The ultimate F1 2026 guide: Everything you need to know about the F1 2026 season<\/a><\/p>\n Do F1 driver salaries count as part of the sport\u2019s budget cap?<\/p>\n No, F1 driver salaries are not taken into account in the team\u2019s budget cap.<\/p>\n Exemptions exist meaning teams are free to pay their drivers as they wish, along with the three highest-earning off-track staff members, without it counting towards their budget cap restrictions over a season.<\/p>\n Who are the lowest-paid drivers in Formula 1?<\/p>\n Rookies often have lower earning power when they reach Formula 1, so Arvid Lindblad is likely to be among the lower-paid drivers in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n