The 30 Highest-Earning Formula 1 Drivers of All Time
Formula 1 has always been about more than just speed—it’s also big business. From massive salaries and bonuses to sponsorships and side ventures, the sport’s top drivers have earned fortunes both on and off the track. Here are the 30 richest F1 drivers in history, ranked by their estimated career earnings.
30. George Russell – £12.8 million
At 27, Russell is a multiple Grand Prix winner and established team leader at Mercedes. His performances have lived up to the promise, and his value on and off the track continues to grow.
29. Esteban Ocon – £16.8 million
The Frenchman remains a mainstay at Alpine in 2025. Though not a title contender, Ocon’s consistency and long-term presence in the sport have brought solid earnings.
28. Jarno Trulli – £24 million
The Italian, who last raced in 2011, is remembered for his technical precision and one-lap speed. His earnings came from long-term contracts with teams like Renault and Toyota.
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27. Heikki Kovalainen – £24 million
Though his F1 career ended in the early 2010s, Kovalainen enjoyed a high-paying stint at McLaren and later found success in Japan, adding to his net worth.
26. Kevin Magnussen – £24 million
Now 32, Magnussen has raced on and off with Haas and continues as a respected veteran. His F1 tenure and brief ventures in endurance racing added to his financial profile.
25. Valtteri Bottas – £24 million
After his years alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, Bottas moved to Alfa Romeo (now Sauber). Though no longer in a top seat, his high-earning years cemented his place on this list.
24. Lando Norris – £24 million
At 25, Norris is still McLaren’s top man and a regular podium finisher. With a strong fan base and long-term contract, his commercial and sporting value remains high.
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23. Pierre Gasly – £26.4 million
Now racing alongside Ocon at Alpine, Gasly continues to be a strong midfield competitor. His consistent results and past win at Monza helped boost his stock.
22. Jean Alesi – £28 million
Though Alesi retired from F1 in 2001, his cult status—especially from his Ferrari years—helped him maintain a lucrative post-racing career.
21. Carlos Sainz Jr. – £29.6 million
Sainz left Ferrari in 2024 after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton’s successor. Still highly regarded, he has continued his career at Audi with a strong salary package.
20. Lance Stroll – £33.28 million
Still racing for Aston Martin, backed by his father’s ownership of the team, Stroll’s career continues more due to connections than results. His contract remains one of the most lucrative outside the top tier.
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19. Daniel Ricciardo – £33.28 million
Now in the final stages of his F1 career, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a reserve and part-time driver before moving on to media and endorsements.
18. Mika Häkkinen – £40 million
Retired since 2001, the two-time world champion remains a respected figure in motorsport. His career with McLaren and commercial success kept his earnings among the highest of his era.
17. Felipe Massa – £40 million
The Brazilian ex-Ferrari driver now battles legally to reclaim the 2008 title. Regardless, his lengthy stint in F1 and later Formula E brought lasting financial rewards.
16. Jacques Villeneuve – £40 million
The 1997 world champion has since raced in various series and become a TV pundit. His prime years with Williams and BAR made him a top earner in the late 1990s.
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15. Sergio Pérez – £49.92 million
Now 35, Pérez is still at Red Bull but is under pressure from younger talents. His commercial pull in Latin America and key role in Red Bull’s recent constructors’ success keep him highly paid.
14. David Coulthard – £64 million
Coulthard retired in 2008 and transitioned smoothly into media work with Channel 4 and Red Bull. His TV presence and savvy investments have kept his fortune growing.
13. Nigel Mansell – £72 million
The 1992 champion still draws attention today for his legacy and charismatic persona. His time in both F1 and IndyCar came with massive paydays.
12. Ralf Schumacher – £80 million
Though overshadowed by his brother Michael, Ralf’s years with Williams and Toyota were among the most lucrative of the early 2000s. He is now a media figure and team investor.
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11. Martin Brundle – £80 million
Never a race winner, but a mainstay on F1 broadcasts with Sky Sports. His media career post-driving has far surpassed his earnings on track.
10. Alain Prost – £80 million
The French four-time champion made his money through dominant years with McLaren and Williams and later via Prost Grand Prix and media work.
9. Rubens Barrichello – £88 million
The Brazilian had a long, productive career as Schumacher’s teammate at Ferrari and later drove for Brawn GP and Williams. He remains the F1 driver with the most career starts.
8. Eddie Irvine – £96 million
Irvine finished second in the 1999 championship and retired in 2002. He transitioned into business, including property investment, which now forms a large part of his wealth.
7. Sebastian Vettel – £112 million
Vettel retired in 2023 as a four-time world champion. Beyond racing, he is now active in sustainability and charity, but his Red Bull and Ferrari years were massively profitable.
6. Jenson Button – £120 million
Since his retirement, Button has split time between TV punditry, racing in other formats, and business. His 2009 title and long McLaren tenure were the peak of his income.
5. Max Verstappen – £173.6 million
Still just 27 and in his prime, Verstappen is the face of modern F1. With multiple titles under his belt, he commands the sport’s most lucrative contract in 2025.
4. Kimi Räikkönen – £200 million
The Finn retired in 2021 but is still revered for his no-nonsense attitude and long stint in F1. He raced for Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo—and earned heavily throughout.
3. Fernando Alonso – £208 million
Alonso, still active in 2025 with Aston Martin at age 43, is one of the sport’s highest earners thanks to longevity, skill, and a knack for negotiating big contracts.
2. Lewis Hamilton – £320 million
Hamilton now races for Ferrari after two decades in F1, most of them with Mercedes. A cultural icon, he earns heavily from racing, fashion, endorsements, and his growing off-track empire.
1. Michael Schumacher – £640 million
Though his post-accident condition remains private, Schumacher’s legacy and commercial empire are unmatched. His seven world titles and dominance with Ferrari created the template for modern F1 superstardom.
