Ahead of the 2026 F1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, SPORTbible has taken a look at the highest-paid drivers on the grid, and it’s fair to say one man’s earnings dwarf those of his fellow competitors.
F1 being a lucrative sport is no secret, with global brands such as Qatar Airways, American Express, Louis Vuitton and PepsiCo among the sport’s blue-chip partners.
And as fans will know, F1 tickets do not come cheaply, with hospitality passes costing tens of thousands of pounds.
As a result of the sport being awash with cash, drivers ultimately benefit and are paid millions of pounds per season.
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As reported by NBC’s South Florida 6, 20 of the 22 drivers on the grid are set to pocket in excess of $1 million (£750,000) for their efforts in 2026.
Of course, the better the driver and the more high-profile the team, generally the more money they earn – but who is set to earn the most in 2026?
Does reigning world champion Lando Norris top the list, or does four-time winner Max Verstappen pip him to top spot? Or maybe even veteran and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton?
Who is the highest-paid F1 driver in 2026?
Pierre Gasly – $12 million (£9.5 million)
Alex Albon – $12 million (£9.5 million)
Oscar Piastri – $13 million (£10.2 million)
Carlos Sainz – $13 million (£10.2 million)
Fernando Alonso – $20 million (£15.7 million)
Lando Norris – $30 million (£23.6 million)
George Russell – $34 million (£26.8 million)
The Mercedes man finished fourth in the Drivers’ Standings in 2025 and has yet to be crowned F1 world champion in his six full seasons in the sport.
Despite this, he is the joint-third highest-paid driver and also pockets a fortune through various commercial deals, having worked with PUMA, Tommy Hilfiger and IWC Schaffhausen, among others.
Russell’s net worth is estimated to be between $20-40 million (£15.7-31 million), according to HITC
Charles Leclerc – $34 million (£26.8 million)
The Monegasque has yet to win a Drivers’ Championship since entering F1 with Sauber back in 2018, before his switch to Ferrari the following season.
Despite this, it has not prevented Leclerc from becoming the third-highest-paid driver on the grid, having signed a five-year deal with the Scuderia in 2025, which included a reported $16 million (£11.9 million) signing bonus.
The 28-year-old has also worked with brands including PUMA, Bang & Olufsen, Richard Mille, Peroni and Chivas Regal, among others.
In 2024, he launched his own low-calorie ice cream brand, LEC.
The Ferrari man boasts a reported net worth of $50 million (£37.4 million), according to SI.
Lewis Hamilton – $60 million (£47.2 million)
Despite not having won the F1 title since 2020, very few drivers can consider themselves household names across the world. Aside from his earnings in the sport, the Ferrari driver also works with multiple brands, including Lululemon, Dior and Tommy Hilfiger.
The Brit also has interests in Lewis Hamilton Ventures, Dawn Apollo Films, non-alcoholic spirit brand Almave, and clothing line Plus 44.
As reported by The Scotsman, Hamilton boasts a net worth of $450 million (£337 million).
Max Verstappen – $70 million (£55.1 million)
The most successful driver of the last decade, Red Bull’s Verstappen, is reportedly the highest-earning F1 driver of 2026, despite missing out on glory by just two points in his pursuit of Norris in 2025.
Verstappen has appeared in Red Bull’s campaigns, as well as working with watch brand TAG Heuer, Heineken, EA Sports, Viaplay and AlphaTauri.
Meanwhile, Fanatics recently announced a multi-year partnership to sell Verstappen-branded merchandise.
The Dutchman has also acted as an ambassador for CarNext.com, Ziggo and G-Star RAW. Verstappen boasts a reported net worth of $200 million (£150 million).
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris
Luke Davies