Forbes has released the Top 10 list of highest-paid F1 drivers of 2023 season where Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton.
The list is calculated on the basis of financial documents, legal filings and press reports as little data is available for F1 drivers. They receive a typical base salary plus bonus for points scored or race wins or even championship wins.
Forbes has not taken into account the personal endorsement deals since there is less scope for that since F1 drivers usually focus more on teams’ sponsors. For 2023, Red Bull’s Verstappen leads the way earning an estimated $45 million in salary.
The bonus sits at $25 million to, with Mercedes’ Hamilton next in line with a salary of $55 million but had no bonus to earn due to no victories. At the same time, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso does have a $10 million bonus to go with $24 million in salary.
Behind Alonso in fourth is Red Bull’s Sergio Perez earning only $10 million in salary, but $16 million in bonus. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is next with a salary of $14 million and bonus of $5 million, while McLaren’s Lando Norris has $5 million salary and $10 million bonus.
Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz earns $8 million in salary, while his bonus is $6 million. Next is Hamilton’s teammate George Russell with $4 million in salary and $5 million in bonus. The Top 10 is rounded out in a tie between two drivers.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly is ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, since the Frenchman’s salary is $5 million to the Australian’s $3 million. The bonus is opposite with Gasly taking $3 million and Piastri earning $5 million in bonus. Here’s the total amounts as per Forbes –
Max Verstappen – $70 million
Lewis Hamilton – $55 million
Fernando Alonso – $34 million
Sergio Perez – $26 million
Charles Leclerc – $19 million
Lando Norris – $15 million
Carlos Sainz – $14 million
George Russell – $9 million
Pierre Gasly – $8 million
Oscar Piastri – $8 million
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