Max Verstappen was not as dominant in 2025 as he has been, falling short of a World Championship for the first time since 2020 last year and sitting just seventh in the current F1 rankings. However, the 27-year-old tops the list of the highest-paid drivers in F1, taking in a salary of $70 million in 2026.
Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari is second, earning $60 million. After his shocking move from Mercedes last year, he saw his salary jump by $15 million.
His teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, comes in third at $34 million. Leclerc has been with the supercar maker since 2019 and signed a five-year extension with them last January. Mercedes’ George Russell ties him after signing a two-year contract with his team last year.
Lando Norris, last year’s World Champion, rounds out the top five with a $34 million annual contract. Norris, 26, has driven for McLaren since he was 19, signing an extension in 2024 that includes a 2027 option.
A New Era for F1
McLaren simultaneously ended its 26-year Constructors’ Championship drought and Red Bull’s dominance in that arena with their title in 2024. They then repeated the title in 2025, following the top-two performances of Norris and Oscar Piastri in the individual racer standings that season.
F1 also begins the 2026 season with a new broadcasting home, after longtime host ESPN decided not to renew its media rights deal. This year, races are being streamed on Apple TV after the league signed a five-year, $700 million agreement with the streaming service.
Highest-Paid Drivers for 2025
Here is the list of top-10 drivers in F1 for 2026, according to Spotrac and RacingNews365, based on annual salary.
- Updated: May 29, 2026
| Rank | Driver | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | $70 million |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | $60 million |
| T-3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | $34 million |
| T-3 | George Russell | Mercedes | $34 million |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | $34 million |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | $20 million |
| T-7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | $13 million |
| T-7 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Williams | $13 million |
| T-9 | Alexander Albon | Williams | $12 million |
| T-9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | $12 million |
| T-9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | $12 million |
