Few sports attract as much investment as , making its drivers some of the best-paid athletes in the world. Long associated with glitz and fame thanks to their and a vast , F1 drivers live a fast life both on and off the track.
Of the 20 confirmed drivers for the new 2025 season, which with the , many earn extremely high salaries, supplemented by personal sponsorships and various business interests. So buckle up as we now take a look at the reported net worth of the six wealthiest F1 stars.
That's right, three F1 drivers boast the same net worth, tying them for joint fourth place. Carlos Sainz, who has been in F1 since 2015, was one of the highest-earning drivers in 2024 for Ferrari before his move to Williams this season.
Lance Stroll, ignoring the billion-dollar fortune he is set to inherit from his dad and Aston Martin F1 team owner, Lawrence Stroll, has accrued a sum of around £39m thanks to his F1 career and sponsorships.
Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, has been one of the highest-paid drivers on the grid for years, with a reported income of £20.8m at Ferrari last year alone. His rapidly increasing collection of cars and star appeal away from F1 ensures that the Monegasque will climb this list in years to come.
While he has dominated the driver's championship for four straight years, Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third on the podium for richest F1 drivers. He was listed by Forbes as the highest-paid driver on the grid for both 2023 and 2024, raking in a reported £57.9m, including bonuses last year.
The Dutchman was the youngest person listed on the Quote 500 - which ranks the 500 people in the Netherlands. His hefty net worth placed him 322nd on the list in October 2024.
Verstappen continues to grow his wealth with endorsements and more creative means, such as aiming to set up his own GT Team - Verstappen.com Racing - in 2025. He also has a vested interest in the prominent sim racing team Team Redline, for which he races online.
In second place is two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. As the oldest driver on the grid, the Spaniard has had almost a quarter of a century to accrue his jaw-dropping wealth.
The 43-year-old is believed to be on an annual salary of around £15.4m-per-year at Aston Martin, with his contract running until 2026. He has had plenty of big sponsors over the years, including Adidas, Santander and ING, as well as the fashion brand he formerly owned, Chiefly Kimoa.
Alonso's activities away from F1 include funding and opening the Fernando Alonso Sports Complex in his native Asturias, Spain. The complex features both a museum dedicated to his career and a karting circuit for the next generation. He also founded A14 Management, a driver agency that boasts Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto among its talents.
From the roaring circuits of F1 to the glitzy halls of Hollywood galas, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has cemented his place as a global icon. The Englishman, 40, is not only a speed demon on the track but a powerhouse of wealth and fame, overtaking David Beckham as the wealthiest British sportsperson of all time in 2020.
The bulk of his fortune stems from his record-breaking racing career, having reportedly earned a base salary of £43m last year at Mercedes. His earnings have skyrocketed further with his arrival at Ferrari this year, where he will make around £50m a year.
Beyond racing, Hamilton is a marketing powerhouse, collaborating with global brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, IWC Schaffhausen and Monster Energy Drinks. He's also ventured into fashion, music, and even environmental activism. Investments in technology, real estate, and a plant-based burger chain further diversify his portfolio, solidifying his status as a multifaceted mogul.
