Tuesday, September 29, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

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

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

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

Mark Walter’s F1 Team Still Has Zero Points After Azerbaijan GP

The Cadillac team, which began racing this year, is in 11th place.
Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in action during the race
Exclusive

Dolphins Owner Nearing Deal to Sell 20% Stake in Miami F1 Race

Stephen Ross has owned the Miami Grand Prix since 2021.

F1 Plans 2027 Middle East Return Despite Iran War

F1’s first two 2027 races are scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Gotham FC Co-Owner Supports Both ‘Rodman Rule’ and Salary Cap

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett emphasized the importance of star power and parity.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/28/26 – College Sports Bill Vote, Man City Found Guilty, Phillies Survive Collapse

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”

MLB Black Monday Begins With Mariners Shake-Up

Seattle kicked off a wave of expected leadership changes across MLB.
September 28, 2026

Sunday’s Biggest NFL Games Plagued by Debatable Calls

There’s no obvious solution for judgment calls.
Sep 25, 2026; Medinah, Illinois, USA; Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. Team tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Presidents Cup.
September 28, 2026

Why Tennis Australia Is Running the Next Presidents Cup in 2028

The 2028 Presidents Cup will take place in Melbourne.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Jun 26, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Charley Hull reacts to her putt on the third hole during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

Saudi PIF Cuts $15M Series From Ladies European Tour

The PIF Global Series has five LET events this year.
September 27, 2026

MLB Attendance Grows for Fourth Straight Year

The league drew 0.5% more fans than it did last year.
September 27, 2026

NFL Dodges Worst-Case Scenario With Brazil Field

The main story was the players, not the playing surface.
September 27, 2026

New-Look MLB Playoff Field Is Now Set

A wild and wet Sunday completed the 2026 regular season.