Forbes has revealed its list of the highest-paid Formula 1 drivers for 2025, and unsurprisingly, it doesn’t quite mirror the drivers’ standings following the end of this year’s season.
At the top of the list sits four-time champion Max Verstappen with an estimated $76million in earnings. As you’d expect for a driver with his level of talent and a proven track record, the salary boasts a huge base of around $65million, with performance-based bonuses raising it to the full value. After missing his fifth championship win by just two points, he now looks to the change in regulations in 2026 as another opportunity.
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Second is Lewis Hamilton with an estimated payout of $70.5million. Racing in Ferrari red this year for the legendary Maranello team, he’s struggled with an underperforming car. Finishing sixth with 156 points behind his team-mate Charles Leclerc hasn’t changed his salary, which remains massive.
McLaren’s Lando Norris sits third in the list with an estimated salary of $57.5million while he sits first in the drivers’ standings. The newly crowned champion reportedly earns a base salary of $18million, but with almost $40million in bonuses, he’ll be having one hell of a Christmas.
The top five comes to a close with Leclerc, who earned an estimated $30million. According to the American outlet, the Monegasque didn’t earn any bonuses despite his haul of 242 points.
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F1 veteran Fernando Alonso sits in sixth, followed by George Russell, Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The latter’s base pay of $5million is dwarfed by his reported bonus of $7.5million.
Of course, these earnings don’t include income from outside of the championship, such as external sponsorship, merchandise, or social media revenue. It also doesn’t include taxes.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
It’s worth noting that Forbes’ estimates “are based on financial documents, legal filings and press reports, as well as conversations with industry insiders,” as the report states.
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The full list, as reported by Forbes, is as follows:
Max Verstappen – $76million Lewis Hamilton – $70.5million Lando Norris – $57.5million Oscar Piastri – $37.5million Charles Leclerc – $30million Fernando Alonso – $26.5million George Russell – $26million Lance Stroll – $13.5million Carlos Sainz – $13million Kimi Antonelli – $12.5million
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