Formula 1’s highest-paid drivers in 2025 REVEALED

Despite becoming the Formula 1 world champion, Lando Norris has not topped the list.

The 2025 season of the F1 championship had a memorable end as the dominance of Dutch driver Max Verstappen came to an end by the slightest of margins, and Briton Lando Norris got the world champion crown.

The season was interesting in multiple ways, as veteran Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes after 12 years, and Spain’s Carlos Sainz Jr became a part of Williams Racing.

Nevertheless, the season didn’t fail to entertain the fans, while on the other side, the drivers also racked up an estimated $363 million in salary and bonuses. Thus, on the same note, let’s take a look at the top ten highest-paid drivers in 2025.

10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli: $12.5 Million

Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli had the responsibility of replacing seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes while teaming up with George Russell in his rookie season. He was competent at his job, as in the final standings, he finished seventh, just behind Hamilton with 150 points.

Antonelli, who received a salary of $5 million from Mercedes, accumulated $7.5 million in bonuses while securing three podium finishes. The 19-year-old will be in action for Mercedes in 2026 as well, as his contract with the German automobile giant was renewed in October of this year.

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9. Carlos Sainz Jr: $13 million

Ninth in the final F1 standings with 64 points, Carlos Sainz Jr secured two podiums in his first season for Williams. The 31-year-old received a salary of $10 million from Williams. He got $3 million in bonuses.

Sainz finished just behind his Williams teammate Alex Albon, who garnered 73 points throughout his campaign. The England-based automobile company is still the sixth highest-valued team of the year with a total valuation of $2.5 million.

8. Lance Stroll: $13.5 million

Lance Stroll’s season was a mess altogether. The Canadian driver failed to secure a finish above sixth position, securing only a total of 33 points, which resulted in a 16th-place finish in the final standings.

Racing for a salary of $12 million, Stroll hoarded $1.5 million in bonuses. His position at Aston Martin, alongside teammate Fernando Alonso, is currently secure for the 2026 season, as the company is owned by Lance’s father, Lawrence Stroll.

7. George Russell: $26 million

George Russell became Mercedes’s top driver after the departure of Lewis Hamilton, who won the championship six times with the German automobile giant in their partnership of 12 years. With heavy responsibility on his shoulders, the British driver gave an improved performance for the Silver Arrows.

Finishing fourth in the final standings with two Grand Prix titles and nine podiums, the Briton was one of only four players to cross the 300-point mark in the 2025 season. Russell received $11 million in bonuses, in addition to his $15 million salary.

6. Fernando Alonso: $26.5 million

Two-time world champion and F1 veteran Fernando Alonso had a tough time in 2025, as he finished tenth in the standings with only 56 points in his kitty. The 44-year-old also failed to secure a podium.

The Spaniard received a salary of $24 million, while his bonus earnings for the season were limited to $2.5 million. He will feature as Aston Martin’s top driver in 2026, as his contract has one more year remaining.

5. Charles Leclerc: $30 million

Charles Leclerc’s performance dipped drastically for Ferrari in the 2025 season. The 28-year-old, who won three races and secured 13 podiums last season, did not finish first at any Grand Prix in 2025.

However, with seven podiums and 242 points, Leclerc did outperform his new teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc’s base salary earned him $30 million, and reportedly, he did not receive any performance-related bonuses in 2025. His contract with Ferrari, which was renewed in 2024, runs until 2029.

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4. Oscar Piastri: $37.5 million

With $27.5 million in bonuses, Oscar Piastri earned a total of $37.5 million during the 2025 season, including his salary. The 24-year-old was a part of the three-horseman race alongside Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Lando Norris, which stretched to the final race of the season.

With seven triumphs and 16 podiums, the Australian driver enjoyed his best season in the championship. Moreover, the 24-year-old played a crucial role in helping McLaren become the constructors’ champion for back-to-back seasons.

3. Lando Norris: $57.5 million

The world champion, Lando Norris, completed a fairy tale with a gritty ending in 2025. Despite being third in the financial standings this year with a total earning of $57.5 million ($39.5 million in bonuses), the Briton topped the charts of the F1 with 423 points.

Stretched to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 26-year-old outclassed defending champion Max Verstappen by two points. Norris racked up seven Grand Prix wins and 18 podiums in 24 races, marking his most successful season so far.

2. Lewis Hamilton: $70.5 million

Formula One veteran Lewis Hamilton is placed second on the list. The Englishman received a mammoth sum of $70 million from Ferrari as his salary, the highest in the world tour. However, Hamilton did not enjoy a successful season switching to Ferrari from Mercedes.

For the first time in 19 years, the seven-time world champion failed to secure even a single podium finish. However, the 40-year-old managed to win a sprint race in China in March earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ferrari remains the most valuable team of the year, with a valuation of $6.5 million, including revenue of $670 million.

Also Read: Formula 1 (F1) calendar for 2026 season announced

1. Max Verstappen: $76 million

The highest-paid driver on the list is four-time world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman received a salary of $65 million, the second-highest in the paddock. In addition to his salary, he earned $11 million in bonuses despite a slow start to his campaign.

Until August, he won only two titles, in Japan and Emilia-Romagna. However, Verstappen later found his form and triumphed at six of the last nine races, including the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.

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