The top five F1 drivers with the highest salaries

What is Max Verstappen's salary?

With Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing at the top of the list, who, according to the latest estimates, earns around 55 million US dollars per year. That is more than 50 million euros and around £43million. The income of Verstappen is not public, but sometimes an amount is leaked. The estimates must therefore be interpreted very broadly and are subject to large fluctuations.

With £43million estimated annually for Verstappen, it is not clear whether this amount will increase. Verstappen's contract with Red Bull will run until 2028. It is not known whether the Dutchman has really been committed to the same annual amount each season. However, on top of this estimated salary from Verstappen, there will be bonuses that can be quite generous at Red Bull Racing. Especially if you manage to win almost all races in 2023 and thus take the F1 title.

Leclerc and Hamilton earn practically the same

In second place is Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari driver signed a five-year contract in 2020 with an option to extend for a few more years. His contract expires in 2024, but his salary was increased before the start of the 2023 season. Ferrari are completely built around the man from Monaco, and with team boss Frederic Vasseur at the helm, the future looks bright for Leclerc. At least financially speaking.

Sportingly, it has been no fun for Leclerc in recent years. Fighting for podiums remains a difficult challenge. Still, the driver's annual salary has increased from 24 million to 36 million US dollars [£28million], the Monegask earns slightly more than number three on this list, Lewis Hamilton. It is quite possible that Hamilton earns slightly more. The estimates are subject to large deviations.

Hamilton is a seven-time F1 champion and is the driver with the most F1 wins and pole positions in the history of the sport. With Verstappen's dominance, Hamilton seems to be on the decline, and that also seems to apply to his annual income at Mercedes. The Brit earns an estimated £27.5million annually at Mercedes. His contract expires after 2023. Hamilton has often been late signing a new contract. The latest rumours are that it will take longer this year because Hamilton has stricter financial requirements.

Is Alonso still earning well, or is Norris above him?

It becomes a bit more difficult to determine the exact order further down the list. Because estimates can fluctuate and vary, there are about four drivers who can claim the top five. Estimates of what Fernando Alonso earns at Aston Martin fluctuate the most. His annual income listed has a big range. If it is towards the 18 million euros mark, he will be the fourth highest-earning driver on the grid at best.

If Alonso's salary is lower, it will be Lando Norris of McLaren with his contract that runs until 2025. His annual income is estimated at £15.5million. Behind these five top drivers, the estimated incomes are falling sharply. Although in some cases, it is still in the millions For example, the incomes of Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez are estimated at eleven and nine million euros per year, respectively.