The 2025 season of Formula 1 saw record‑setting paydays for many drivers, as earnings on and off track soared across the grid.
At the very top of the pay scale was Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing, who reportedly received $65 million in base salary, along with up to $11 million in performance bonuses, making him the highest‑paid driver of the year.
Meanwhile, the newly crowned champion Lando Norris from McLaren earned around $18 million as base pay, but his total season haul surged thanks to bonuses estimated at $39.5 million — including roughly $10 million for winning the drivers’ championship. This brought his total 2025 earnings to about $57.5 million, placing him among the top‑earners on the grid.
Behind them, other high‑profile drivers also secured substantial remuneration. Long‑time star Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, earned a base salary close to $60 million, while Charles Leclerc, his teammate, took home roughly $34 million before bonuses.
Further down the ranks, drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri received lower base salaries — but for those who combined solid results with performance‑linked incentives, overall earnings still reflected the sport’s skyrocketing financial stakes.
The 2025 pay structure highlights how top‑tier performance, contracts and bonuses shape a driver’s fortunes — with talent and results translating into significant financial rewards. For younger or less successful drivers, however, incomes remain more modest, underscoring the wide gulf between the elite and the rest of the field.
