• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 13, 2025

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:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) and Mercedes driver George Russell (63) pose for a photo with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase following the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Breaks Ratings Record, Widespread Changes Coming in 2026

ESPN held F1’s U.S. broadcasting rights for eight years.
exclusive

FloSports Buys Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Dirt racing was a major audience driver on FloSports this year.
Verstappen

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Breaks Viewership Record In Year 3

The previous two races started at 1 a.m. ET. 

Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch

There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.

Featured Today

Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
November 24, 2025

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.

CBA Discussions At the Forefront of USA Training Camp Day 1

The biggest point of contention in negotiations remains the salary model.
December 11, 2025

MLB Offseason Spending Heats Up With Trio of Big-Money Deals

A trio of deals this week is expected to loosen the market.
Nov 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2), middle, warms up before a match against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field.
December 12, 2025

NWSL Offers Players Rule Change to Pay Stars Over Cap

The league previously vetoed a deal she made with the Spirit.
Sponsored

20 Years of Coastal Cool: How Johnnie-O Became a Force in Golf,..

A style movement powering one of the fastest-growing brands in sports and lifestyle.
Grand Slam Track
December 11, 2025

Grand Slam Track Files for Bankruptcy, Lays Off More Staff

The start-up track league still owes vendors and athletes millions of dollars.
Nov 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets past Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3), forward Kawhi Leonard (2), center Ivica Zubac (40) and guard Kobe Brown (24) for a basket in the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
December 10, 2025

Lakers Will Not Use NBA Cup Court Again After Complaints

The Lakers host the Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals Wednesday.
Sep 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Yoendrys G—mez (94) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Rate Field.
December 10, 2025

Winners and Losers in MLB Draft Lottery

The Southside Chicago club will get its first No. 1 pick since 1977.
Atlantic Coast's Kylie Johnson (5) makes a flag pull against Ribault during the Gateway Conference high school flag football tournament on April 2, 2024.
December 10, 2025

NFL Owners Vote to Spend $1 Million Per Team on New Flag..

The league’s investment arm will invest up to $32 million total.