How Much Do F1 Drivers Make? The 2026 Salary Grid
F1 doesn't publish driver contracts, so every number below is an industry estimate — but the estimates from multiple outlets converge closely enough to draw a clear picture: the grid's pay gap is enormous, growing faster at the top than the bottom, and doesn't move in lockstep with who actually won the last title.
"How much do F1 drivers make" is one of the most-asked questions in the sport, and it has a wide answer: over a 140x gap separates the highest earner from the lowest on the 2026 grid. Base salary is only part of the story — contract length, championship history and a team's own budget cap headroom all shape the number before a single bonus is added.
F1 Driver Pay by the Numbers
- $70 million: Max Verstappen's estimated 2026 base salary, the highest on the grid, per RacingNews365's 2026 salary estimates.
- $76 million: Verstappen's total 2026 compensation once win and championship bonuses are added, per PlanetF1 and RacingNews365.
- $1 million or less: what F1's newest 2026 rookies (Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto, Arvid Lindblad) are each estimated to earn — a roughly 70x gap from the top of the grid.
- $30 million: Lando Norris's 2026 estimate, despite winning the 2025 drivers' title — a reminder that F1 pay is negotiated years ahead of a season, not adjusted after the fact for who wins.
The Full 2026 Salary Grid
Every figure below is an estimated base salary in US dollars, drawn from RacingNews365's 2026 driver salary overview. Bonuses for wins, podiums and championships sit on top of these numbers and matter proportionally more the further down the grid you go.
| Driver | Team | Est. 2026 Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | $70,000,000 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | $60,000,000 |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | $34,000,000 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | $34,000,000 |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | $30,000,000 |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | $20,000,000 |
| Carlos Sainz | Williams | $13,000,000 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | $13,000,000 |
| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | $12,000,000 |
| Alex Albon | Williams | $12,000,000 |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | $12,000,000 |
| Sergio Perez | Cadillac | $8,000,000 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | $7,000,000 |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | $7,000,000 |
| Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | $5,000,000 |
| Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | $5,000,000 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | $2,000,000 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | $2,000,000 |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | $1,000,000 |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | $1,000,000 |
| Franco Colapinto | Alpine | $500,000-$1,000,000 |
| Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | $500,000-$1,000,000 |
Why the Pay Gap Is So Wide
Three things stretch F1's salary range further than most professional sports. First, contracts run multiple years and get renegotiated from a position of leverage only once a driver has already proven themselves — Verstappen's $70 million reflects four drivers' championships (2021-2024) locked into a deal through 2028, not his 2025 season alone, where he actually finished second to Norris. Second, a driver's market value is tied to team seats available, and there are only 22 of them on the entire grid; a rookie signs for whatever a team offers because the alternative is no F1 seat at all. Third, teams themselves operate under wildly different budgets — a top-three constructor with title sponsors can absorb a $30-70 million driver salary far more easily than a midfield team rebuilding its lineup, which is part of why Cadillac's veteran pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas sit well below the top tier despite both being multiple-time race winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Max Verstappen make in F1?
Max Verstappen earns an estimated $70 million in base salary for 2026 from Red Bull Racing, with total compensation including bonuses reported near $76 million, making him F1's highest-paid driver for a third straight year despite losing the 2025 drivers' title to Lando Norris.
How much do rookie F1 drivers make?
Rookie and lower-grid F1 drivers earn far less than headline names. Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto are each estimated around $2 million for 2026, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad and Alpine's Franco Colapinto sit closer to $500,000-$1 million, since first contracts are mostly base pay with performance bonuses layered on once a driver proves themselves.
Why does Lando Norris earn less than Max Verstappen despite winning the 2025 title?
F1 salaries are set by multi-year contracts negotiated before a season starts, not adjusted after the fact for who wins. Verstappen's $70 million reflects four drivers' championships from 2021-2024 and a long Red Bull tenure locked in through 2028, while Norris's $30 million estimate for 2026 was agreed under an earlier contract signed before his title run.
Do F1 drivers get paid more from bonuses or base salary?
For headline drivers, base salary is the overwhelming majority of pay. Verstappen's estimated $70 million base grows to roughly $76 million once win and championship bonuses are added, only about an 8% bump. Lower down the grid, bonuses matter proportionally more, since a podium or points finish can meaningfully move a driver who's earning $1-2 million in base pay.
The Bottom Line
F1's pay scale runs from $70 million at the top to under $1 million for a brand-new rookie, and it tracks contract timing and reputation far more closely than the most recent championship result. If the numbers have you curious about the drivers themselves rather than just their bank accounts, dig into our Verstappen merchandise guide and Hamilton merchandise guide for the two highest earners on the 2026 grid, or pick up one of the best F1 books for the full story behind how these contracts get built.