How Much Do F1 Pit Crew Members Make?

Formula One’s highest-paid drivers and team principals earn millions as the most visible team members of an F1 team.

Behind every winning car is a dedicated pit crew working hard to ensure the driver can perform without hiccups.

A Formula One pit crew member’s salary depends on their role within the team and can widely vary. F1 pit crew members can earn anywhere from $30,000 to $1,000,000.

Average salary figures and bonus estimates for each Formula One pit crew member:  

Crew chiefs earn the most but face the most pressure

Out of the nine members of the pit crew, the crew chief earns the most. 

Crew chiefs typically earn a salary of $1 million based on the amount of responsibility. A crew chief selects the tires for each race, manages the rest of the pit crew, and remains in contact with the driver throughout the race. 

If the crew chief makes a bad decision or is slow to make a decision, the entire race could be in jeopardy. 

Bonuses for the pit crew

Pit crews earn bonuses for wins along with their driver. The pit crew chief distributes the bonuses to the crew based on their roles.

A string of wins can add up for pit crew members.

For example, Max Verstappen’s pit crew earned approximately $114,000 in bonuses last season for contributing to Verstappen’s eight wins. 

As F1 looks to expand its influence further in the U.S., Formula One pit crews could benefit from increased salaries and bigger bonuses if revenue continues to climb. 

F1 Pit Crew Members FAQ

• What is the lowest-paid job on an F1 pit crew?
  • Fire extinguisher men earn $30,000 annually or $500 per race. Like all pit crew members, fire extinguisher men can earn bonuses if their team’s driver wins a race. They can earn an extra $250 per race win. 
• How do you become an F1 pit crew member?
  • Many pit crew members start with building up their knowledge of cars and mechanics. From there, either an apprenticeship with a team and/or working with a lower-level motorsports series gives crucial experience in race situations. Finally, networking is a critical component in becoming an F1 pit crew member. Teams typically hire people who are already part of the organization or who have been recommended by others within the organization. 
• Is pit crew a full-time job?
  • Yes, F1 pit crew members are full-time employees. The demanding schedule and extensive traveling for several months require members to work with the Formula One team full-time. 

The data was compiled from Formulapedia and MSN.