Formula 1 may be pushing for budget caps and cost control, but when it comes to driver salaries and endorsements, the numbers remain stratospheric with collective earnings approaching half a billion dollars.
The combined estimated total earnings of all 20 Formula 1 drivers in 2025 comes to a staggering $413.85 million, and the distribution paints a clear picture of who the sport's true commercial powerhouses are.
At the top of the financial leaderboard is Max Verstappen, earning an estimated $97.5 million this season. With a reported base salary of $65 million from Red Bull Racing, his bonuses and endorsements elevate him into a category of his own. The figures indicate that Verstappen’s massive value reflects his dominance on track, marketing appeal, and central role in the Red Bull brand.
Not far behind is Lewis Hamilton, who has brought both star power and a substantial paycheck to Ferrari. His estimated $88.5 million haul includes $60 million in salary, boosted by strong performance bonuses and a $25 million endorsement portfolio. Hamilton remains the most marketable driver in Formula 1.
The third spot goes to Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, who earns around $53.5 million. Despite a lower base salary than Hamilton's, Leclerc’s bonuses show Ferrari’s faith in his competitiveness.
Gulf between earnings of veteran drivers and rookies is massive
McLaren’s Lando Norris follows closely with $47.5 million, driven by one of the highest bonus figures on the grid at $23 million, evidence of his continued rise and value to the team. Fernando Alonso rounds out the top five with $27.5 million, a testament to his longevity and marketing relevance even at 44.
Among the new generation, Oscar Piastri stands out with $24 million, mostly thanks to significant bonuses reflecting his strong performances. If he wins the world title this year for McLaren, expect his new deal to be double or more than what he banks this year.
By contrast, rookies like Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, and Isack Hadjar all earn under $1.5 million, showcasing the steep economic gradient between Formula 1 veterans and its newest faces.
Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver on the grid with Mercedes, earns just $2.45 million, but his trajectory could change rapidly depending on his debut season.
While Formula 1 teams must comply with cost caps on operations and development, driver salaries and endorsements remain uncapped, meaning driver value continues to be one of the most visible and lucrative expressions of success in the sport.
In 2025, talent, performance, and branding pay well. Some more so than others.
Formula 1 Driver Estimated Total Earnings In 2025
The following list combines estimated base salaries, performance bonuses, and personal endorsement values for the 2025 F1 season. Totals are approximate, as bonuses depend on race results and endorsement values are speculative.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- Base Salary: $65,000,000
- Bonuses: $15,000,000
- Endorsements: $17,500,000 (midpoint of $15M–$20M)
- Total: $97,500,000
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Base Salary: $60,000,000
- Bonuses: $3,500,000 (midpoint of $2M–$5M)
- Endorsements: $25,000,000 (midpoint of $20M–$30M)
- Total: $88,500,000
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Base Salary: $34,000,000
- Bonuses: $12,000,000
- Endorsements: $7,500,000 (midpoint of $5M–$10M)
- Total: $53,500,000
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Base Salary: $20,000,000
- Bonuses: $23,000,000
- Endorsements: $4,500,000 (midpoint of $3M–$6M)
- Total: $47,500,000
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Base Salary: $20,000,000
- Bonuses: $3,500,000
- Endorsements: $4,000,000 (midpoint of $3M–$5M)
- Total: $27,500,000
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Base Salary: $18,000,000
- Bonuses: $8,000,000
- Endorsements: $2,000,000 (midpoint of $1M–$3M)
- Total: $28,000,000
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Base Salary: $10,000,000
- Bonuses: $9,000,000
- Endorsements: $1,500,000 (midpoint of $1M–$2M)
- Total: $20,500,000
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Base Salary: $6,000,000
- Bonuses: $17,000,000
- Endorsements: $1,000,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1.5M)
- Total: $24,000,000
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Base Salary: $10,000,000
- Bonuses: $2,000,000
- Endorsements: $1,000,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1.5M)
- Total: $13,000,000
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Base Salary: $8,000,000
- Bonuses: $1,500,000 (midpoint of $1M–$2M)
- Endorsements: $1,000,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1.5M)
- Total: $10,500,000
- Nico Hülkenberg (Saube)
- Base Salary: $5,000,000
- Bonuses: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Endorsements: $550,000 (midpoint of $0.3M–$0.8M)
- Total: $6,300,000
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Base Salary: $3,000,000
- Bonuses: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Endorsements: $300,000 (midpoint of $0.1M–$0.5M)
- Total: $4,050,000
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Base Salary: $3,000,000
- Bonuses: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Endorsements: $400,000 (midpoint of $0.2M–$0.6M)
- Total: $4,150,000
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing/Racing Bulls)
- Base Salary: $3,000,000
- Bonuses: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Endorsements: $300,000 (midpoint of $0.1M–$0.5M)
- Total: $4,050,000
- Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls/Red Bull)
- Base Salary: $2,000,000
- Bonuses: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Endorsements: $550,000 (midpoint of $0.3M–$0.8M)
- Total: $3,300,000
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Base Salary: $2,000,000
- Bonuses: $250,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.5M)
- Endorsements: $200,000 (midpoint of $0.1M–$0.3M)
- Total: $2,450,000
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Audi)
- Base Salary: $2,000,000
- Bonuses: $250,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.5M)
- Endorsements: $50,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.1M)
- Total: $2,300,000
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Base Salary: $1,000,000
- Bonuses: $250,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.5M)
- Endorsements: $200,000 (midpoint of $0.1M–$0.3M)
- Total: $1,450,000
- Jack Doohan (Alpine)
- Base Salary: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Bonuses: $250,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.5M)
- Endorsements: $50,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.1M)
- Total: $1,050,000
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Base Salary: $750,000 (midpoint of $0.5M–$1M)
- Bonuses: $250,000 (midpoint of $0–$0.5M)
- Endorsements: $200,000 (midpoint of $0.1M–$0.3M)
- Total: $1,200,000
Total Earnings Across All Drivers
- Sum of Estimated Total Earnings: $413,850,000
Reporting Notes & Sources
- Calculation Method: For ranges (e.g., $0.5M–$1M), the midpoint was used (e.g., $0.75M). Bonuses are speculative and depend on 2025 race results (e.g., wins, podiums, points). Endorsement values are estimates based on driver marketability and industry trends.
- Top Earners: Verstappen and Hamilton dominate due to high salaries, significant bonuses, and lucrative endorsements. Norris and Leclerc benefit from strong bonuses and growing endorsement portfolios.
- Rookies: Drivers like Antonelli, Bortoleto, Bearman, Doohan, and Hadjar have lower totals due to modest salaries, minimal bonuses, and limited endorsements.
- Limitations: Exact figures are unavailable due to confidential contracts. Bonuses assume similar performance to 2024, adjusted for team changes (e.g., Sainz at Williams likely earns fewer bonuses than at Ferrari). Endorsement values are informed by Finance Monthly and TradeBrains but remain approximate.
- Context: Total earnings reflect base salaries (fixed), bonuses (performance-dependent), and endorsements (marketability-dependent). Actual 2025 earnings may vary based on race outcomes and new sponsorship deals.
- The estimated 2025 Formula 1 driver earnings, including salaries, bonuses, and endorsements, were compiled using data from several key sources:
- RacingNews365 provided the primary estimates for base salaries across all 20 drivers.
- Forbes offered detailed 2024 bonus data, serving as a baseline for 2025 performance bonus projections.
- Finance Monthly contributed valuable insights into endorsement values, especially for top earners like Hamilton and Verstappen.
- TradeBrains supplied information on personal endorsement deals for multiple drivers, focusing on brand partnerships.
- RTR Sports Marketing provided general trends on F1 sponsorships and driver marketability, aiding in the estimation of endorsement values.
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