Verstappen Formula 1’s Top Earner

Max Verstappen is Formula 1’s highest-paid driver — though rival Lewis Hamilton makes up the gap off the track.

Red Bull’s Verstappen, who wrapped up his second consecutive driver’s championship on Sunday, booked $60 million in 2022, with $20 million coming from bonuses, according to Forbes.

• Mercedes’ Hamilton earned $55 million, all of which came from his regular salary with no bonus money.
• Alpine’s Fernando Alonso brought in $30 million, despite a ninth-place finish in the standings, followed by Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez ($26 million, third place in standings), and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ($23 million, second place).
• The biggest gap between teammates was between Hamilton and George Russell, who earned $10 million, including $7 million from bonuses, making him the 10th-highest paid driver. Russell finished fourth in the standings to Hamilton’s sixth.

Retiring legend Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, whose contract with McLaren is being terminated early, tied for sixth in earnings with $17 million. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, eighth with $15 million, and McLaren’s Lando Norris, $11 million, filled out the top 10.

Off the Grid

While Forbes’ tabulation only included salaries and bonuses from drivers’ F1 teams, Hamilton brings in an estimated $8 million through endorsements and investments. The revered driver’s deals include ones with IWC, Monster Energy, Puma, and, naturally, Mercedes-Benz.

He also owns a stake in the Denver Broncos and launched a film and TV production company called Dawn Apollo Films.