F1 drivers are among the richest athletes in the world. Although some might not earn as much as elite footballers or golfers, they earn a fortune through hefty paychecks and sponsorships.
The sport is said to be one of the most expensive ones in the world for fans to attend. Although 22 to 24 races in a year do not sound like a lot to the average sports fan, it is understood that the work going behind each of those races is massive. Teams prepare for them throughout the season, and drivers put themselves at risk all the time.
As F1 focuses on getting more sponsorships, there has been a surge in the driver earnings and signing bonuses. Almost all of the experienced drivers on the current F1 grid are millionaires. They have spent a long time building themselves in the sport, and their investments have helped in reaching that point.
List of the 10 richest F1 drivers on the 2025 grid
#1 Lewis Hamilton – $450 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Other than being one of the most successful drivers in the sport, Hamilton is also the richest one. He has won seven World Championships and holds the record for most wins and pole positions in F1. He is estimated to earn around $60 – $90 million per year through paychecks and various brand deals.
#2 Fernando Alonso – $260 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
The Spaniard is the most experienced driver on the 2025 grid. Having debuted back in 2001, the 43-year-old is a two-time F1 champion and continues to show strong competence. Various brand deals throughout the years and hiked salaries considering his experience have made him the second-richest driver on the grid.
#3 Max Verstappen – $200 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Although Verstappen is less experienced in comparison with the top two richest drivers above, his performances speaks for itself. He is one of the most competitive drivers in the current era. He won four consecutive World Championships between 2021 and 2024 and is still in contention to win his fifth. His major contracts with Red Bull Racing and other sponsorship deals have helped him to gain a $200 million net worth. Verstappen’s partner, Kelly Piquet Jr. is also a succesful model and the daughter of former 3-time F1 champion, Nelson Piquet.
#4 Carlos Sainz – $50 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Sainz has been a part of the grid for the past decade, having raced with various teams, including the likes of Toro Rosso and McLaren. But his sheer competitiveness wasn’t reflected until he signed with Ferrari in 2021. He was fifth in the championship in his debut season with the team and won his first race at Silverstone in 2022. He has managed to build up a $50 million net worth.
#5 Lance Stroll – $50 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Son of business magnate Lawrence Stroll, who is also Aston Martin’s team owner, Lance has managed to build a small empire for himself. Although he is not a very fast driver on the grid, he remains consistent with his finishes. Stroll has raced for his father’s team ever since Lawrence got the majority stake in Force India back in 2018. The team was rebranded to Racing Point, and subsequently to Aston Martin.
#6 Charles Leclerc – $40 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
The Monegasque made his full-time debut on the grid in 2018 with Sauber. However, his performance got him a seat at Ferrari the following year. Leclerc has since stuck with the Italian outfit. He is one of the more competitive drivers out there, managing to clinch multiple race victories. He currently has a multi-year contract with the Scuderia. Leclerc has built up a $40 million net worth with various deals.
#7 Lando Norris – $30 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Norris debuted with McLaren in 2019 and has been an integral part of the team since. Although he did not have the car or the opportunity to showcase his competitiveness for many years, he managed to do that last year. The team improved their car and clinched the Constructors’ Championship. Norris is currently the contender for the Drivers’ Championship.
#8 George Russell – $23 million (Forbes)
Mercedes signed the Briton in the 2022 season after he spent three with Williams Racing. He became the senior driver after Lewis Hamilton left the team for Ferrari this year. Being one of the more competitive and consistent drivers on the grid, George Russell has managed to build up a net worth of $23 million over the years.
#9 Nico Hulkenberg – $10 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
Hulkenberg has been a part of the F1 grid for a long time. However, it has been on and off for multiple years. Despite being a consistent driver, the German has almost never had the chance to showcase his performance in a strong car. While he sits without a podium, he has built up a $10 million net worth.
#10 Franco Colapinto – $5 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
The Argentine is one of the freshest faces in F1. He debuted in 2024 with Williams Racing mid-season and impressed the grid with his performance. Alpine then signed him as one of their reserves for the 2025 season and swapped him with Jack Doohan mid-season temporarily. He has also managed to make his way up to the richest F1 drivers with a $5 million net worth.
