F1 driver salary 2026 – how much do F1 drivers make?
Formula 1 driver salary? How much do Formula 1 drivers make? What is the average F1 salary of 2026? Here are all F1 salaries and the average F1 driver salaries? Watch & Bet on Sport =>
How much do F1 drivers make a year if they win? How much do F1 drivers earn per year in salary? We take a look at every F1 driver salary and contract details for 2026.
F1 driver salaries 2026 – how much do Formula 1 drivers earn?
Formula 1 is one of the most lucrative sports in the world, with elite drivers earning tens of millions annually. The high-speed drama on the track is matched by the big money deals off it, as teams and sponsors pour in millions to secure the services of the best drivers.
But how much do F1 drivers actually make in 2026? Who tops the list, and how do salaries compare across the grid? Here we take a look at the Formula 1 driver salaries 2026.
List of F1 driver salaries, contract extensions and new deals
Below is the list of contract and salary details of all formula 1 drivers in the 2026/27 lineup. Also check out our list on the F1 prize money in 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
Max Verstappen: The Highest-Paid Driver in F1
As the reigning quadruple world champion, Max Verstappen continues to command the highest salary in Formula 1. Red Bull Racing has locked in the Dutch sensation with a staggering $65 million annual base salary.
Despite Red Bull’s dip in form during the 2024 season, Verstappen’s sheer brilliance behind the wheel ensured he clinched his fourth consecutive title, fending off Lando Norris’s challenge.
His earnings are further boosted by lucrative endorsement deals with brands like EA Sports, Heineken, and Viaplay, making him one of the richest athletes in motorsport.
Lewis Hamilton: The Ferrari Era Begins
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton shocked the F1 world with his move to Ferrari for the 2026 season. Despite changing teams, his salary remains sky-high, with the Briton earning a $60 million base salary.
While this keeps him just behind Verstappen, Hamilton’s off-track earnings from endorsements and business ventures push his total income well beyond $100 million.
The British superstar is on a mission to claim his record-breaking eighth world title, making his Ferrari switch one of the most exciting storylines of the season.
Charles Leclerc: Ferrari’s Future Star
Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, remains a key figure at Ferrari and has been rewarded with a long-term contract running until 2028.
The Monegasque driver earns $34 million annually, cementing his place as one of the highest-paid drivers on the grid. Leclerc will be keen to challenge both Verstappen and Hamilton as he eyes his maiden F1 title.
Veterans Still Cashing In: Alonso and Norris
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso continues to defy age and remains one of the top earners in Formula 1.
At 43, he earns $20 million at Aston Martin, with his contract allowing him to extend beyond 2026 if he chooses. With Honda rejoining Aston Martin as an engine supplier in 2026, Alonso could be in for another title push before retiring.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris has cemented his long-term future at McLaren, signing a lucrative deal worth $20 million per year. Though heavily linked with Red Bull and Ferrari in previous seasons, Norris remains committed to McLaren, with exit clauses available should a top team come calling.
The Next Generation: Who’s Earning What?
George Russell, Mercedes’ leading man following Hamilton’s departure, earns a respectable $15 million as he aims to restore the team’s championship dominance. Williams has made a major investment in Carlos Sainz, luring him with a $10 million salary to lead their project until 2027.
Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon both earn around $8-$10 million, reflecting their status as midfield leaders, while young talents like Oscar Piastri ($6 million) and Yuki Tsunoda ($2 million) continue to prove their worth in the sport.
The Lower End of the Spectrum
Not all F1 drivers rake in massive paychecks. Rookie drivers and those in junior teams earn significantly less, with Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman making just $1 million per year.
Even lower down the list, Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar earn between $0.5-$1 million, reflecting the financial gap between experienced drivers and newcomers.
List of Formula 1 driver salaries 2026
How much do the 2026 top F1 drivers earn? List of Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Sauber and Williams F1 driver salaries? Here is the list with Formula 1 driver salaries 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
Ferrari F1 driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Ferrari F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Ferrari F1 driver salaries | Ferrari F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Lewis Hamilton | $60 million | Contract with Ferrari until 2026 |
| Charles Leclerc | $34 million | Contract with Ferrari until 2028 |
McLaren F1 team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top McLaren F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| McLaren F1 driver salaries | McLaren F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Lando Norris | $20 million | Contract with McLaren until 2026* |
| Oscar Piastri | $6 million | Contract with McLaren until 2026 |
F1 Red Bull team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Red Bull F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Red Bull F1 driver salaries | Red Bull F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Max Verstappen | $65 million | Multi-year contract with Red Bull until 2028 |
| Liam Lawson | $1 million | Contract with Red Bull until 2026 |
Williams F1 team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Williams F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Williams F1 driver salaries | Williams F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Carlos Sainz | $10 million | Contract with Williams until 2027 |
| Alexander Albon | $8 million | Contract with Williams until 2027 |
Aston Martin team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Aston Martin F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Aston Martin F1 driver salaries | Aston Martin F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Fernando Alonso | $20 million | Contract with Aston Martin until 2026* |
| Lance Stroll | $3 million | Open contract |
Racing Bulls team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Racing Bulls F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Racing Bulls F1 driver salaries | Racing Bulls F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Yuki Tsunoda | $2 million | Contract with Racing Bulls until 2026 |
| Isack Hadjar | $0.5-1 million | Contract with Racing Bulls until 2026 |
HAAS F1 team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top HAAS F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| HAAS F1 driver salaries | HAAS F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Esteban Ocon | $7 million | Contract with Haas until 2027 |
| Oliver Bearman | $1 million | Contract with Haas until 2027 |
Alpine F1 team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Alpine F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Alpine Rosso F1 driver salaries | Alpine F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| Pierre Gasly | $10 million | Contract with Alpine until 2026 |
| Jack Doohan | $0.5-1 million | Contract with Alpine until 2026 |
Stake F1/ Audi team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Stake/Audi F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Stake F1/ Audi Drivers F1 | Stake F1/ Audi driver salary per year | Stake/ Audi F1 Contract terms |
| Nico Hulkenberg | $7 million | Contract with Stake F1/Audi until 2027 |
| Gabriel Bortoletto | $2 million | Contract with Stake F1/Audi until 2027 |
Mercedes F1 team driver salaries 2026
Here is the list with top Mercedes F1 Drivers Salary 2026. Watch & Bet on Sport =>
| Mercedes F1 driver salaries | Mercedes F1 driver salary per year | F1 driver salary contract |
| George Russell | $15 million | Contract with Mercedes until 2026 |
| Kimi Antonelli | $2 million | Contract with Mercedes until 2026* |
Highest paid Formula 1 driver ever: Michael Shumacher is the highest paid F1 driver in history!
Who is the highest paid Formula 1 driver ever? The highest paid Formula 1 driver in history has to be the retired F1 driver Michael Schumacher.
Who is the highest-paid Formula 1 driver 2026? Max Verstappen is the highest-paid F1 driver in 2026!
Who is the highest-paid F1 driver 2026? Max Verstappen is the highest paid Formula 1 driver in the 2026 F1 season.
The highest-paid Formula 1 driver in 2026 is Max Verstappen, earning a base salary of $65 million per year with Red Bull Racing. He remains the top earner, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who earns $60 million per year at Ferrari.
Second Highest paid Formula 1 driver 2026? How Much Will Lewis Hamilton make 2026? What is Lewis Hamilton’s salary? Why is Lewis Hamilton paid so much?
The second highest-paid Formula 1 driver in 2026 is Lewis Hamilton, earning a base salary of $60 million per year with Ferrari.
Highest paid F1 drivers? Here are the highest paid Formula 1 drivers 2026! List with the Highest paid Formula 1 driver 2026!
Here are all F1 drivers salaries per year on basic packages with individual bonuses:
| Driver | Team | Salary ($ Million) | Contract Duration |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 65 | 2028 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 60 | 2026* |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 34 | 2028 |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 20 | 2026* |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 20 | 2026* |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 15 | 2026 |
| Carlos Sainz | Williams | 10 | 2027 |
| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 10 | 2026 |
| Alexander Albon | Williams | 8 | 2027 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Stake F1/Audi | 7 | 2027 |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 7 | 2027 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 6 | 2026 |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 3 | Open |
| Gabriel Bortoletto | Stake F1/Audi | 2 | 2027 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | 2 | 2026 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 2 | 2026* |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1 | 2027 |
| Liam Lawson | Red Bull Racing | 1 | 2026 |
| Jack Doohan | Alpine | 0.5-1 | 2026 |
| Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 0.5-1 | 2026 |
Who is the Richest F1 Pilot?
Topping the tree in the 2026 financial rankings is a name that surprises no one: Max Verstappen.
The Dutch driver, a four-time World Champion and the face of Red Bull Racing, continues to be the undisputed final boss of the F1 payroll.
While Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari made headlines for its sheer magnitude, it is Verstappen who clinches the title of the highest earner.
According to comprehensive data collated from sources like Forbes and Racing Pilot, Verstappen is pulling in a colossal $76 million for the 2026 campaign.
This figure is a combination of a massive $65 million base salary supplemented by an estimated $11 million in bonuses, cementing his status as the grid’s financial kingpin for the fourth consecutive season.
His total on-track earnings since 2021 now surpass an astonishing $323 million, a testament to his machine-like precision and ability to simply break the spirit of his rivals. He is the benchmark, and Red Bull is paying a king’s ransom to keep their generational talent at the helm.
What is Kimi Antonelli’s Salary?
If Verstappen represents the established elite, Kimi Antonelli embodies the future. The Italian teenage sensation, who burst onto the scene with Mercedes in 2025, has quickly proven that he belongs in the big leagues.
After an impressive rookie season that saw him collect significant bonuses, Antonelli has cemented his place in the top 10 earners on the grid.
For the 2026 season, the 19-year-old’s total earnings are projected to be around $12.5 million.
This impressive sum is structured with a base salary of approximately $5 million, topped up by a hefty $7.5 million in performance-related bonuses from his debut year.
Toto Wolff and Mercedes are clearly investing heavily in their prodigy, paying him handsomely not just for current pace, but for the World Championship potential they believe he holds.
He is already the highest-paid teenager on the grid by a significant margin, earning more than established midfield stars.
What is Lando Norris’ Salary?
Reigning World Champion Lando Norris has seen his stock—and his bank balance—skyrocket.
After clinching the Drivers’ Championship in a thrilling 2025 season finale and leading McLaren to consecutive Constructors’ titles, Norris has been rewarded with a contract that reflects his new status as the face of the papaya resurgence.
Norris’s 2026 earnings are estimated to be a phenomenal $57.5 million. What makes his contract particularly interesting is the structure: a relatively modest (by F1 standards) base salary of around $18 million, dwarfed by an extraordinary $39.5 million in bonuses.
This performance-based deal means that his championship victory and consistent podium finishes have paid off in spectacular fashion.
He is now the third-highest earner on the grid, sitting just behind Hamilton and Verstappen, and has firmly established himself as the leader McLaren needs to fend off rival teams looking to poach their franchise star.
What is Yuki Tsunoda’s Salary?
While the front-runners rake in the millions, the midfield and lower teams operate on a different, though still wildly lucrative, scale.
Yuki Tsunoda, the energetic Japanese driver, remains a key part of the Red Bull family, competing for the Racing Bulls team.
After years of development, Tsunoda has secured his place on the grid with a solid, performance-linked contract.
For the 2026 season, Tsunoda’s contract details, sourced from contract databases, show a one-year deal valued at approximately $2.5 million.
This comprises a $2 million base salary and an additional $500,000 in achievable performance bonuses.
While this figure places him near the lower end of the salary spectrum, it represents a significant progression from his rookie deal and reflects his growing experience and value as a dependable points-scorer for the team.
How much do F1 drivers get paid for winning a race
How much do F1 drivers make per race? See Formula 1 Prize Money 2026 if you want to know how much do F1 drivers get paid for winning a race.
This is where F1 salaries become a true high-stakes gamble. A driver’s base salary is just the guaranteed money; the real wealth is often generated by success on the track.
While the specific “per-win” rate is a closely guarded secret buried deep in individual contracts, the figures for 2026 show that winning is incredibly lucrative.
As we see with drivers like Lando Norris, whose earnings more than triple with bonuses, a single victory can trigger a cascade of financial rewards.
These bonuses aren’t just for wins; they are structured around Championship position, points finishes, and even pole positions.
For instance, Nico Hülkenberg’s contract at Audi is rumored to include a clause worth a remarkable $83,000 per point.
For a top driver like Max Verstappen, a race win—especially one that contributes to a championship—can easily mean bonuses running into the millions.
In essence, a driver doesn’t just make a set fee per win; winning changes the entire financial trajectory of their season, unlocking the massive bonus packages that push the likes of Norris and Piastri into the upper echelons of the sport’s rich list.
In Formula 1, you truly have to spend money to make money, and for the drivers, speed pays.
See also
- F1 Results 2026
- F1 Highlights
- The 2026 F1 Driver Lineup
- Formula 1 Qualifying time tomorrow
- 2026 Formula 1 Start Time
- Formula 1 Calendar 2026
- Official Website
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