Formula One isn’t just about speed anymore — it’s about serious money. As the 2026 F1 World Championship begins, we look at the season’s driver salaries from the lowest to the highest paid on the grid. With the sport more popular than ever, thanks partly to Netflix’s Drive to Survive and a wave of global interest (especially from U.S. fans), salaries have soared up and down the paddock in recent years. 2026 is no exception.
What To Know?
- Max Verstappen tops the 2026 salary list with a $65 million base pay from Red Bull.
- Lewis Hamilton earns $60 million at Ferrari, with total income nearing $100 million.
- Rookie Arvid Lindblad will earn $1 million or less.
- The complete 2026 F1 driver salary list includes base pay only, excluding bonuses and sponsorships.
This year, 18 of the 22 drivers will reportedly take home at least $1 million in base salary — and that’s before you even factor in performance bonuses, sponsorship deals, or brand endorsements. From world champions like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to unknown rookie talent like Arvid Lindland trying to prove themselves, the paycheck gap across the grid is as fascinating as the title fight.
So who’s earning what in 2026? Here’s a full breakdown of every F1 driver’s salary for the current season.
Who is the highest-paid F1 driver in 2026?
No surprises at the top — the two most successful active drivers in Formula One are also the two highest earners in the 2026 F1 World Championship.
Max Verstappen continues to lead the financial race, commanding a reported $65 million annual base salary from Red Bull Racing. The 27-year-old Dutchman’s earnings reflect his dominance on the track: four consecutive world championships to his name. While his eight victories, the most in 2025, may have been a dip by his lofty seasons prior, Verstappen still proved his the one to beat over the course of the season — though he couldn’t fend off rising star Lando Norris to the title.
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Hot on his heels is Lewis Hamilton, now with a dismal season racing in red. The seven-time world champion made his long-awaited Ferrari debut in 2025, earning a reported $60 million salary. At over 40 years old, Hamilton brings unrivalled experience and a record-breaking résumé: 105 career wins, 202 podiums, and an eye on that elusive eighth title. After zero race podiums in 2025, the move to Maranello will need to be looking more hopeful in 2026 to solidify a bold final chapter in his storied career.
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There’s a steep drop after the top two, but a few more names break the $20 million threshold. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will earn $34 million, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Lando Norris each take home $20 million.
Leclerc enters 2026 with a frustrating previous season with Ferrari, who’s still seeing him as a future champion, providing they can give him the car to do it. Alonso — now the grid’s elder statesman at 44 — remains a potent force with 32 wins and two world titles to his name. Norris, meanwhile, finally broke through in 2025 with his maiden F1 World Championship and played a pivotal role in McLaren’s 2025 Constructors’ Championship win, their second year in a row.
These salary figures, compiled by inside sources across the paddock, represent only drivers’ base pay — bonuses and personal endorsements not included. But even before the champagne sprays or trophies are lifted, it’s clear who’s already winning off the track in 2025.
Who is the lowest-paid F1 driver in 2026?
While the stars at the front of the grid rake in tens of millions, newer drivers will earn a fraction of that — especially Lindblad in his first year with everything to prove.
The likes of Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Oliver Bearman at Haas, Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi, and Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls will share the distinction of having the lowest reported base salaries on the grid, estimated between $500,000 and $1 million. That’s the price of being new to F1 sometimes.
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For these drivers, the paycheck might be modest by F1 standards, but the opportunity is massive.
2026 F1 Driver Salaries: Full List
Here’s how much each of the 22 full-time drivers is earning as seen in the 2026 Formula One season — all figures are in USD and reflect base salary only (excluding bonuses and sponsorship deals):
| Rank | Name | Team | Reported salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | $65 million |
| 2. | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | $60 million |
| 3. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | $34 million |
| T-4. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | $20 million |
| T-4. | Lando Norris | McLaren | $20 million |
| 6. | George Russell | Mercedes | $15 million |
| T-7. | Carlos Sainz | Williams | $10 million |
| T-7. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | $10 million |
| T-7. | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | $10 million |
| T-7. | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | $10 million |
| 9. | Alexander Albon | Williams | $8 million |
| T-10. | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | $7 million |
| T-10. | Esteban Ocon | Haas | $7 million |
| 12. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | $6 million |
| 13. | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | $3 million |
| T-14. | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | $2 million |
| T-14. | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | $2 million |
| T-17. | Oliver Bearman | Haas | $1 million |
| T-17. | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | $1 million |
| T-17. | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing | $1 million |
| T-19 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | $500,000 to $1 million |
| T-19 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | $500,000 to $1 million |
What does Max Verstappen earn in 2026?
As the reigning four-time world champion, Max Verstappen tops the 2026 salary list with a reported $65 million base pay from Red Bull Racing. And based on his form, it’s hard to argue he isn’t worth every penny — especially after winning the most races in 2025, despite not winning the title.
Verstappen isn’t just dominating the track; he’s also become one of the sport’s most marketable stars. Alongside Lewis Hamilton, he’s the global face of modern Formula 1, with top-tier sponsors like EA Sports, Heineken, and Viaplay all backing him — adding serious heft to his income beyond racing.
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On top of his salary and endorsements, Verstappen is also eligible for performance bonuses under his Red Bull contract, meaning wins, podiums, and potentially another title could boost his earnings even higher.
But with Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, the pressure — and the paycheck rivalry — is far from over.
Does Verstappen earn more than Hamilton and Leclerc?
Yes — Max Verstappen holds the top spot when it comes to base salary in 2025, with a reported $65 million from Red Bull Racing.
Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, isn’t far behind with an estimated $60 million base salary. While that figure puts him second on the pay scale, his overall earnings — boosted by bonuses and a portfolio of high-end sponsorships — are believed to bring his total annual income close to $100 million.
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That comfortably puts Hamilton ahead of his new teammate Charles Leclerc, who remains on a reported $34 million for 2025 — the same figure he earned last season. Still, that’s well above most of the grid and reflective of Ferrari’s long-term faith in the 27-year-old Monégasque driver.
Next in line is Fernando Alonso, earning $20 million with Aston Martin. The two-time world champion, now 43, continues to defy expectations — and age. With a contract that includes options through 2027 and a fresh engine partnership with Honda beginning in 2026, Alonso shows no signs of slowing down.
How Much Do F1 Pit Crew Members Make?
In the glitz and glamour of Formula 1, the spotlight often shines brightest on the drivers and team principals. But at the heart of every Grand Prix weekend, there’s an army of unsung heroes—mechanics and pit crew members—working with lightning precision under immense pressure. As Formula 1 evolves into a multi-billion-dollar global sport, we look at how much F1 pit crew members actually earn.
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How Does F1 Make Money?
Formula 1’s revenue streams are as diverse and strategic as the drivers. From lucrative global media rights and glamorous brand sponsorships to elite hospitality experiences like the exclusive Paddock Club—F1’s finances are engineered for maximum performance, hitting a significant revenue milestone in 2024.
According to Forbes, F1 achieved total revenues of $3.65 billion in 2024, representing a substantial 25% increase year-over-year.
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