DRIVE TO SUCCEED

Ultimate Formula 1 rich list as Max Verstappen pulls clear of Lewis Hamilton with record-breaking salary

IT’S the most expensive sport in the world, so it’s no surprise top Formula 1 drivers boast eye-watering salaries.

The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris certainly enjoy a life in the fast line — with supercar collections, huge mansions and beautiful women.

Sunday saw the end of the 2024 season and Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes as he heads to childhood heroes Ferrari in the New Year.

But all the drama has come away from the track, with Verstappen and Russell at war over an incident at the penultimate race of the campaign in Qatar on December 1.

The Red Bull driver accused Russell of being “two-faced” with the stewards, while the Brit threw out “bullying” accusations back.

Ahead of the off-season, we reveal the drivers at the top of the rich list — as the top 10 earners collected an estimated £248m combined.

10) PIERRE GASLY £9M

Pierre, 28, who made his debut in 2017, drives for Alpine and comes from a family heavily involved in motorsports.

His salary was bumped up to £8m this season, with £1m in bonuses as he signed a contract extension in June to keep him with team until 2026.

9) CARLOS SAINZ £15M

The Spanish ace was paid a reported £8m a year by Ferrari, who he joined in 2021 after successful stints with Renault and McLaren.

And he is promised £9m in performance related bonuses, which he surely wrapped up with 27 podium finishes in 2024.

But the 30-year-old has joined Williams after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

Endorsements include Playstation, lager brand Estrella and German helmet manufacturer Schuberth.

Away from the track he still feels the need for speed and his luxury car collection includes a McLaren 720S worth £800k and a £750K Ferrari 812.

Time is of the essence too — with a high end watch collection worth millions, including a Roger Dubuis timepiece worth USD £205,000 and a Franck Muller watch worth £200,000.

8) SERGIO PEREZ £15.3M

Sergio, 34, may not be the highest-paid driver on the grid, but he’s been amassing an impressive fortune since his debut in 2011.

His estimated £62.4million net worth, which includes an £9.4million salary from Red Bull, makes him one of the richest athletes in the world.

7) OSCAR PIASTRI £17M

The 23-year-old is one the babies on the track, having come through the Renault Sports Academy and started his F1 career in 2021.

As such, he actually earns LESS than the aforementioned drivers in salary (£5m) — but his staggering £13m in bonuses sees him climb the list.

6) GEORGE RUSSELL £18M

Russell is now the No1 driver at Mercedes after Hamilton’s exit — but he’s internal dominance this year had proved that anyway — as he signed an extension in August 2023.

He now bags £11.7million a year from Mercedes, with a reported £7million in bonuses.

5) CHARLES LECLERC £21M

The Frenchman earns £11.7m in salary and his bonuses almost match that at £10m.

He was part of another memorable tandem at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

4) FERNANDO ALONSO £21.5M

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, 42, signed a new deal with Aston Martin in 2023 after finishing fourth in the standings.

The Spanish star earns £18million in salary, while performance add-ons amount to around £3million.

3) LANDO NORRIS £27M

Norris wasn’t quite able to overtake Verstappen for the drivers’ title, but achieved 13 podium finishes this year.

He did, however, take home a reported £9.4million in wages, and surely earned his whopping £18m in bonuses, as McLaren landed an unexpected constructors’ championship.

Lando was born into wealth through dad Adam — who amassed a £205million fortune — and mum Cisca, from Belgium.

2) LEWIS HAMILTON £45M

After years of dominance at Mercedes, Hamilton was the highest-paid driver in F1 — his contract with netted him £43million each year, and he’s estimated to be worth £270.9million.

That figure is set to soar far higher, too, after it was revealed he will join the Scuderia in 2025 in a shock deal worth £100million.

He also owns a £49.1million penthouse in New York, according to GQ, and a £19.1million six-bedroom home in London.

1) MAX VERSTAPPEN £59M

Understandably, for the third straight year, Verstappen is F1’s highest-paid driver on the track.

With estimated 2024 earnings of £59million, including a series-record £47million in salary to go with £12million in performance bonuses.

The Dutchman had to wait until the season’s third-to-last Grand Prix, in Las Vegas, to lock up the championship, four races later than when he clinched in 2023. — Sun.