Top 10 highest-paid F1 drivers in 2025

Formula 1 has always been known as one of the most elite sports in the world. With expensive cars, luxurious motorhomes, and top-of-the-line technology that goes into making race cars, F1 is an affair worth millions and millions of dollars. One of the major budgetary expenses of F1 teams is the salary given to their star drivers, as without them, all their efforts in the factory are of no use.

The driver isn’t just a championship contender for the teams, they embody the team in front of the world, and keeping their brand ambassadors happy helps them to better represent it in front of the world. Let’s delve into the list of highest paid drivers in the 2025 garage.

Here is the list top 10 highest-paid F1 drivers in 2025

10. Esteban Ocon (Haas)- $7 million

French driver Esteban Ocon, who drives for Haas, has been a consistent performer over the years. He made his F1 debut with Manor in 2016 and since then joined Force India the next season. Ocon spent one year as a Mercedes reserve driver. He joined Alpine, the Renault, in 2021.

Ocon went on to win the Hungary Grand Prix the same year for Alpine. In 2024, Ocon abruptly left Alpine and joined Haas, signing a multi-year contract with the team. As per several sources, Ocon earns close to $7 million from his deal with Haas.

9. Alex Albon (Williams)- $8 million

Alex Albon, who drives for Williams, has impressed F1 fans with his rise in the sport. Albon made history in 2021, becoming the first Thai driver to secure a podium finish in Formula 1. Prior to Williams, Albon was a part of Toro Rosso before joining Red Bull in 2019.

Albon is currently on a multi-year contract that is expected to run until 2026. Moreover, as of 2025, Albon receives a salary worth $8 million from Williams.

8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)- $10 million

Just like Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly kickstarted his Formula 1 career with the Toro Rosso team. After stints with Red Bull, Alpha Tauri, and a return to his old team, Gasly joined Alpine in 2023. Gasly’s currently on a multi-year contract with Alpine that will expire at the end of 2026.

The 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner has earned more than 400 career points so far, making him one of the best drivers in the world. According to multiple reports, Gasly earns a yearly salary of $10 million.

7. Carlos Sainz (Williams)- $10 million

Carlos Sainz is currently on a two-year deal with Williams after leaving Ferrari in 2024. Sainz is recognized as one of the most consistent Formula 1 drivers in the world. The Spanish driver has achieved more than 1200 points, also winning four F1 Grands Prix so far in his career.

As per NBCMiami, Sainz is one of the highest paid Formula 1 drivers in the world. Although he supposedly took a paycut to join Williams, Sainz still earns close to $10 million from his contract.

6. George Russell (Mercedes)- $15 million

George Russell finally got the Mercedes call he had been waiting for years after Bottas’s exit in 2022.  He was able to secure his maiden win in 2022 and finished ahead of his ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton in the Championship table.

As of 2025, the British driver reportedly earns $15 million per annum. In addition to that, Russel is in the final year of his contract with Mercedes, with his future still up in the air.

5. Lando Norris (McLaren)- $20 million

British driver Lando Norris is the youngest driver to feature on this list of the highest-paid F1 drivers. Lando started F1 in 2019, and through all these years, he has shown incredible talent, making him one of the most talented youngsters who make up the “new generation” in F1.

Norris’ annual salary is $20 million, and he also receives bonuses for getting race wins and podium finishes in the Grand Prix.

4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)- $20 million

Spanish racer Fernando Alonso made a surprise exit from Formula 1 at the end of 2018 when he did not have a team to drive for. All his fans agreed that the 2-time Championship winner’s career in this sport deserves better than this.

Then, Alpine signed the driver following the exit of Daniel Ricciardo, and in 2023 he left the French outfit to join Aston Martin. He is earning a salary of $20 million from the team.

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)- $34 million

Charles Leclerc signed a contract extension with Scuderia Ferrari in a multi-year deal in 2024. As per the reports, Leclerc will drive for the Scuderia till the end of 2026, according to the terms of this contract.

The Monegasque gets an annual salary of $34 million, plus all the race bonuses he gets upon winning podium places in the GPs.

2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)- $60 million

British racer Lewis Hamilton is one of the most successful F1 drivers in the history of this sport. He has repeatedly been featured in the list of the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world.

Following a decade long stint with Mercedes, Hamilton joined Ferrari in one of the most shocking moves in Formula 1 history. Hamilton currently earns a report salary of $60 million from his deal signed in 2025.

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)- $65 million

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen‘s name has been intertwined with the Red Bull Racing. While the 27-year-old started his career in F1 as a driver for Scuderia Toro Rosso, he was promoted to Red Bull in 2016, as a replacement for Daniil Kvyat.

In 2021, Max Verstappen achieved the impossible feat of beating Lewis Hamilton in a nerve-wracking season where the Championship battle went on till the very last race of the year in Abu Dhabi. He won the title again in the 2022 season, dominating rival Charles Leclerc.  The Dutchman has a multi-year deal with Red Bull, and he gets an annual salary of $65 million.