Wednesday, August 12, 2026

The Highest-Paid Formula 1 Team Principals

  • Christian Horner earns more annually than three team principals combined.
  • Toto Wolff is the only team principal with a net worth over a billion.
Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, speaks at the Red Bull Fan Zone, a private event at Oracle headquarters, on Wednesday October 18, 2023.
Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing

Formula One racing has been hitting significant milestones in recent years. Each team is worth over $1 billion, and the sport has generated over $550 million in revenue just in the first quarter of the year. 

The drivers earn the most money and attention, but the team principals manage a lot of critical moving parts. The top F1 team principals earn great salaries while navigating the pressure of ensuring every team member performs well on race day.

Christian Horner is the highest-paid Formula One team principal, earning $9.97 million annually. He’s been at the head of Red Bull Racing since 2005.

Horner has helped lead Red Bull to thirteen world titles since becoming team principal.

Toto Wolff earns $7.5 million, with Mercedes coming in second. From 2013 to 2020, he led Mercedes to seven consecutive double championships.

Wolff owns 30% of the team and is estimated to have the highest net worth of the other team principals, at $1.3 billion.

Third is Andrea Stella, making $5.5 million per year.

The McLaren team principal was promoted to the position in 2022. Stella worked with the dominant Michael Schumacher for four years and joined McLaren in 2015.

Fourth on the list is Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur. He earns $5.3 million as the team principal of the winningest F1 team of all time. Vasseur took over for Mattia Binotto in 2023, and Ferrari recorded its first win under his leadership at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Tied for fifth are Laurent Mekies and Alessandro Alunni Bravi, earning $1.1 million each. 

Mekies has run the Visa Cash App RB team since the beginning of 2024. They collected 46 points last season, good for eighth in the team standings.

Alunni Bravi was named to his role with Stake (Sauber) in 2023. He joined the team initially in 2017, working as a Board Member and General Counsel.

Ranking The Highest-Paid F1 Team Principals

Here is the entire list of the highest-paid Formula 1 team principals. The list was compiled with data from The Express and Crash.net.

  • Updated: March 25, 2025
RankTeam PrincipalTeamTotal CompensationNet Worth
1Christian HornerRed Bull Racing$9.97 million$51.8 million
2Toto WolffMercedes$7.5 million$1.6 billion
3Andrea StellaMcLaren$5.5 million$1.6 million
4Frederic VasseurFerrari$5 million$3.7 million
T-5Laurent MekiesVisa Cash App RB$1.1 million$1.1 million
T-5Alessandro Alunni BraviStake (Sauber)$1.1 million$4.2 million

Related lists:

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles the ball past Philadelphia 76ers forward JJ Redick (17) and guard Ben Simmons (25) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 114-110. Mandatory Credit:

Why Pro Athletes Are Saying Their Big Contracts Weren’t So Big

“I think people should listen, because they’re telling the truth,” Chris Bosh told FOS.
Jan 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) celebrates his goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Crypto.com Arena

Macklin Celebrini Contract Extension Sets New NHL Salary Mark

The Sharks locked up their young phenom at a record AAV.
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Record Salary Cap Pushes NFL Contracts to New Highs

Historic contracts continue to show the league’s deep pockets.
Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - July 26, 2026 Red Bull's Isack Hadjar in action during the race REUTERS/Marton Monus

F1 Will Shift Season Finale to Europe if Middle East War Continues

F1 also confirmed that the final race will not be in the U.S.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/12/26 – Knicks-LeBron Tickets Soar, Trump Backs Infantino, Romo’s CBS Future Unclear

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Los Angeles Lakers logo on the shorts of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Lakers Sold to Kushner, Iger for $12.5B Amid Walter Investigation

It’s the second time in 14 months the team has been sold.
Aug 5, 2026; Montreal, QC, Canada; Alexander Zverev (GER) looks on against Tallon Griekspoor (NED) in second round play at IGA Stadium.
August 11, 2026

Zverev, Fritz Lament Tennis Calendar

Zverev suggested reverting to one-week tournaments.
August 12, 2026

MLB Field of Dreams Tickets Push Near $1,000

Fans clamor for seats as the local weather forecast remains uncertain.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Aug 9, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Justin Rose eighteenth green during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament.
August 11, 2026

Future of FedEx’s PGA Tour Deal in Question As Playoffs Begin

The PGA Tour is revamping its competitive model in 2028.
May 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the second quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
August 11, 2026

NBA Takes a Page From NFL With Schedule Unveiling

The NBA is beginning a three-day schedule reveal.
Exclusive
August 11, 2026

Project B Will Launch With Olympic Gender Eligibility Policy

The WNBA has come under fire for lacking an explicit gender policy.
August 11, 2026

Knicks’ Ring Night vs. LeBron Tickets Already Fetching $2,200

Ticket prices at MSG are soaring.