Bold headline: Even with a dramatic season near its end, the top earners in 2025 F1 proved money can outshine the championship chase for some drivers. And this is where the numbers tell a nuanced story that might surprise casual fans.
Max Verstappen finished the 2025 F1 season as the highest-earning driver, even though he fell short of securing a fifth consecutive world title. He exited the year two points behind the champion chase, narrowly missing the top spot in a campaign packed with tension and dramatic stakes.
Interestingly, Verstappen’s earnings were boosted by bonuses that pushed his total well above the base figures. By contrast, Lewis Hamilton, who faced a tough first year with Ferrari, earned the largest base salary on the grid but did not surpass Verstappen once bonuses are included. Forbes reports Hamilton earned $70 million in salary, and Verstappen’s bonuses lifted his comprehensive total beyond Hamilton’s base pay.
Lando Norris claimed third in the season’s earnings table, even though he carried the world championship dream to the final rounds. Norris’s substantial income was a blend of a solid base and significant bonus money. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri also notched a meaningful sum, largely from performance-related bonuses, keeping him ahead of several big-name peers.
Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five with Ferrari, contributing a strong total that reflected both solid base pay and a more modest bonus packet compared to some peers.
If you’re curious who exactly rounds out the top 10, here’s the complete snapshot of earnings for 2025, including both salary and bonuses:
Driver | Salary | Bonuses | Total earnings
Max Verstappen | $65m | $11m | $76m
Lewis Hamilton | $70m | $0.5m | $70.5m
Lando Norris | $18m | $39.5m | $57.5m
Oscar Piastri | $10m | $27.5m | $37.5m
Charles Leclerc | $30m | $0 | $30m
Fernando Alonso | $24m | $2.5m | $26.5m
George Russell | $15m | $11m | $26m
Lance Stroll | $12m | $1.5m | $13.5m
Carlos Sainz | $10m | $3m | $13m
Kimi Antonelli | $5m | $7.5m | $12.5m
For fans who want to stay fully plugged into F1, this year’s calendar is a handy companion. The 2026 schedule can be downloaded and added directly to your phone or computer, ensuring you never miss a race.
Download the calendar for 2026: https://racingnews365.com/add-the-2026-f1-calendar-to-your-agenda-with-one-click
More from the season: If you’d like a quick way to keep up with every race, you can subscribe to a calendar that automatically updates with all dates and times for the Formula 1 season.
Would you like this earnings overview to include a brief analysis of how each driver’s bonuses are typically earned (for example, podiums, poles, or team bonuses), or should I keep it strictly numerical?
