• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 11, 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:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
exclusive

Secret Service Reveals More About Spending on Trump’s Sports Travel

The agency spent nearly $800K protecting Trump at four major sports events.

Tigers and Skubal File a Whopping $13 Million Apart on Salary

The ace pitcher is seeking a record-level salary in arbitration.

Featured Today

Milan’s Olympic Village Is Built for Performance—and Partying

Making Milan’s Olympic Village was a five-year sprint.
February 5, 2026

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Feb 1, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots players arrive prior to Super Bowl LX at San Jose Mineta International Airport.
February 3, 2026

Private Equity Has Reached the Super Bowl

The Patriots are one of four NFL teams with PE investment.
University of Southern California
January 31, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Wooing Recruits With Content Studios

Schools are creating content studios to win recruits and donor dollars.

Grand Slam Track’s Bankruptcy Plan: Paying Athletes and Stiffing Vendors

The plan heavily favors athletes over vendors, but it isn’t final.
February 9, 2026

NFL Players Push Back on 18th Game: ‘Stop Lying to People’

Discussion on the 18th game has been ongoing for over a year.
February 10, 2026

PWHL Still Laser-Focused on Next Round of Expansion

The PWHL is leaning on its Takeover Tour to inform next moves.
Sponsored

From AUSL to Women’s Hoops: Jon Patricof on Building Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
February 9, 2026

NFL Opening-Night Decision Starts in Seattle: Chiefs, Bears in Play

The Super Bowl champions have a stacked 2026 home schedule.
February 9, 2026

Goodell Says Adding NFL Teams Abroad Is ‘Very Possible Someday’

The league has been aggressively expanding its international footprint. 
February 8, 2026

Los Angeles Is Preparing for a Very Different Super Bowl in 2027

The Southern California sports market is very different compared to four years ago.
February 8, 2026

Super Bowl LX Ends With Seahawks on Top—and at Crossroads

The Seahawks claim their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.