Their sporting, media, and strategic weight within the teams is reflected in their paychecks. Between established champions, technical leaders, and emerging young talents, the Circus shows an increasingly marked salary gap that tells the story of each team’s ambitions and priorities.
F1 Driver Salaries 2026
Verstappen and Hamilton: Formula 1’s “Scrooges”
At the top of the 2026 F1 driver salary rankings remains Max Verstappen, who, with approximately $70 million per season, continues to be the highest-paid driver in Formula 1. This salary reflects not only his successes on the track but, above all, the Dutchman’s absolute centrality to the Red Bull project during a crucial period of regulatory transition.
Following closely is Lewis Hamilton, who earns approximately $60 million at Ferrari. This is an investment that goes beyond simple sporting performance, focusing instead on global image, leadership, and technical expertise—elements considered strategic in Maranello ahead of the new regulatory cycle.
Who is the highest-paid Formula 1 driver in 2026?
The title of the highest-paid driver in 2026 therefore still belongs to Max Verstappen. His contract represents an almost unique case in the Circus: a team built around a single technical and sporting reference point. Red Bull has chosen continuity, securing its main asset at a time when new regulations could reshuffle the grid’s hierarchy.
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari had an immediate impact on a commercial and media level. The $60 million salary awarded to the seven-time world champion is the price for a profile capable of attracting sponsors, global attention, and technical know-how. While this investment has not yet yielded the hoped-for results on track, Ferrari remains confident that 2026 could mark the true turning point.
The third step of the salary podium is shared by Charles Leclerc and George Russell, both earning $34 million per season. Leclerc remains Ferrari’s sporting cornerstone despite Hamilton’s arrival, while Russell is now the face of the post-Hamilton Mercedes, tasked with leading a project aimed at returning permanently to the top of Formula 1.
High-Tier Salaries: From Norris to Alonso
Just below the podium, we find Lando Norris, who, at $30 million, represents the heart of the McLaren project, and Fernando Alonso, who continues to be a key resource for Aston Martin with a $20 million salary. This bracket includes drivers considered strategic for development and technical continuity rather than just race finishers.
The intermediate salary bracket includes names such as Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Lance Stroll, with earnings ranging between $12 and $13 million. These are reliable profiles, often decisive for team stability, but without the contractual weight of the true superstars.
Rookies and Young Talents: The Lowest Salaries in F1
At the bottom of the rankings are the rookies and young drivers, with significantly lower salaries. From the $2 million of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto to the contracts of $1 million or less for Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto, and Arvid Lindblad, the economic gap between the present and the future of the Circus is clear.
2026 F1 Driver Salary Table
| DRIVER | TEAM | SALARY ($) |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 70 Million |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 60 Million |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 34 Million |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 34 Million |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 30 Million |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 20 Million |
| Carlos Sainz | Williams | 13 Million |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 13 Million |
| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 12 Million |
| Alexander Albon | Williams | 12 Million |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 12 Million |
| Sergio Pérez | Red Bull Racing | 8 Million |
| Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber/Audi | 7 Million |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 7 Million |
| Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 5 Million |
| Valtteri Bottas | Sauber/Audi | 5 Million |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber/Audi | 2 Million |
| Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 2 Million |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1 Million |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1 Million |
| Franco Colapinto | Williams | 0.5–1 Million |
| Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 0.5–1 Million |