Max Verstappen enters the elite list of the richest U-25 athletes by Forbes thanks to his new $55M Red Bull contract 

Forbes named Max Verstappen as the third highest-paid sports star in their 25 or under-25 list.

Max Verstappen enters the elite list of the richest U-25 athletes by Forbes thanks to his new $55M Red Bull contract 

Max Verstappen (Image via The Japan Times)

Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen has made it to the Forbes rich list. The 25-year-old was already one of the world’s highest-paid athletes and is now included in the exclusive Forbes list. The double-world champion has become a sensation in recent years. It is most likely that he will win his third world championship soon, thanks to the RB19.

Verstappen signed a lucrative deal of $55m with Red Bull last season, which ties him to them until the end of 2028. This made him the highest-paid F1 driver as he overtook Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton on that list. The Dutchman receives bonuses from Red Bull for wins and championships. According to Forbes, his on-track earnings are estimated to be $60 million, with an additional $4 million from endorsement deals. 

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Max Verstappen won his maiden Formula 1 world championship in 2021. Shortly after, he said he wanted to stay long-term with Red Bull and signed a new contract. The 25-year-old has the longest contract in Formula 1. His five-year contract is worth a whooping £200 million, making it the most lucrative deal in the sport. This shows Red Bull’s and team boss Christian Horner’s faith in him. 

Related: Sergio Perez comes to Max Verstappen’s defense over the Dutchman’s ‘bad loser’ image in F1

Only 2 sports stars are above Max Verstappen on the 25 or under 25 Forbes list

Max Verstappen (Image via Eurosport)
Max Verstappen (Image via Eurosport)

The first place is occupied by the football player Kylian Mbappe, the Paris Saint-Germain forward. The 24-year-old’s on-field salary is estimated to be around $100 million, and his off-field is $20 million. Sandwiched between Mbappe and Verstappen is Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback. He is 25 years old and earns $67 million on the field and $3.5 from endorsements. 

Verstappen’s current form in F1 brought many financial benefits to him and Red Bull. He joined his rival, Lewis Hamilton, who also has been on the Forbes highest-earning athletes list.

Hamilton was ranked as F1’s top earner every year since 2013. However, the seven-time world champion was dropped out of the top 10 Forbes list last year and this year. In 2021, Forbes quoted Hamilton’s earnings at $82 million (exchange rate £58.5 million), and he was in eighth place. The Briton was placed 10th in the 2017 Top 10 Forbes list. 

Verstappen and Hamilton have a comfortable lead over the rest of the grid in terms of earnings. According to the 2022 Forbes list of the highest-paid F1 drivers, Fernando Alonso was third, with $30 million. He was followed by Sergio Perez, whose total compensation was $26 million. Ferrari star boy Charles Leclerc’s net worth was estimated to be $23 million. However, they are nowhere close to Verstappen and Hamilton. 

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