• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 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

As NBA Free Agency Quiets, Focus Shifts to Potential Extensions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million extension.
Shai

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

The superstar could’ve waited for an even bigger deal next year.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.

Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

Denver took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (5) and Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrate a touchdown during a game on Nov. 17, 2024.

Bengals Make Chase and Higgins Highest-Paid WR Duo in NFL History

Chase’s contract topped Browns defensive end Myles Garrett’s $160 million extension.
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
March 11, 2025

Guarantees Are Gold in NFL Free Agency—but Almost As Rare

NFL free agent contracts can officially be signed on Wednesday.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
March 13, 2025

As NFL’s QB Carousel Spins, Even Backups Are Getting Big Money

Daniel Jones signed a $14 million deal with the Colts.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
February 25, 2025

Bengals Ready to Make Ja’Marr Chase Highest-Paid Non-Quarterback

Cincinnati has several key deals to work on this offseason.
Sep 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Oracle Park.
November 27, 2024

Dodgers Approach $1 Billion in Deferred Money With Blake Snell Shocker

Snell’s contract comes with $50 million in contract deferrals.
Apr 20, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF defender Sergio Busquets (5) celebrates with forward Lionel Messi (10) after scoring a goal against Nashville SC in the first half at Chase Stadium.
October 24, 2024

Lionel Messi Remains MLS Salary King As Playoffs Begin

Messi’s total 2024 compensation from Inter Miami is $20,446,667.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.