The 2025 F1 season has come to a close, and the numbers are in—Max Verstappen has claimed the title of the highest-paid driver, even though he narrowly missed securing his fifth consecutive world championship. But here's where it gets intriguing: despite Verstappen’s top earnings, his base salary doesn’t outshine Lewis Hamilton’s, who faced a rocky start with Ferrari. So, how did Verstappen pull ahead? Let’s dive into the details.
According to Forbes, Hamilton secured a staggering $70 million in salary, surpassing Verstappen’s base pay. However, Verstappen’s substantial bonuses from Red Bull pushed his total earnings to $76 million, clinching the top spot. And this is the part most people miss: Lando Norris, who won the world championship, only ranks third in earnings, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri trailing closely behind, thanks to hefty bonuses for both drivers. Charles Leclerc rounds out the top five, representing Ferrari.
But who else made it into the top 10? Here’s the full breakdown:
| Driver | Salary (USD) | Bonuses (USD) | Total Earnings (USD) |
|-------------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------------|
| Max Verstappen | $65m | $11m | $76m |
| Lewis Hamilton | $70m | $0.5m | $70.5m |
| Lando Norris | $18m | $39.5m | $57.5m |
| Oscar Piastri | $10m | $27.5m | $37.5m |
| Charles Leclerc | $30m | $0 | $30m |
| Fernando Alonso | $24m | $2.5m | $26.5m |
| George Russell | $15m | $11m | $26m |
| Lance Stroll | $12m | $1.5m | $13.5m |
| Carlos Sainz | $10m | $3m | $13m |
| Kimi Antonelli | $5m | $7.5m | $12.5m |
Controversial question: Does a driver’s earnings truly reflect their performance on the track, or is it more about brand value and team negotiations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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