🏎️ How much does an F1 driver make?
F1 pay follows global team contracts, not U.S. or Japanese pay scales: lower-paid drivers earn about $0.5–2M, a typical driver about $10M (RacingNews365 2026 estimates), and the top-paid driver about $76M in 2025 including bonuses (Forbes estimate).
Pay varies widely with team contracts, results-based bonuses, and sponsorship deals.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Rookies and lower-paid drivers | $500,000–$2M | RacingNews365 2026 salary estimates |
| Typical full-time driver (estimated grid median) | $10M | Median of RacingNews365 2026 grid salary estimates |
| Top driver (Forbes 2025 estimate incl. bonuses) | $76M | Forbes 2025 estimate ($65M salary + $11M bonuses), as reported by PlanetF1 in Dec 2025 |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Rookies and lower-paid drivers | $41,667–$166,667 | $1,370–$5,479 |
| Typical full-time driver (estimated grid median) | $833,333 | $27,397 |
| Top driver (Forbes 2025 estimate incl. bonuses) | $6.33M | $208,219 |
Where does the money come from?
- Team base salary: Team contracts are the main source; published salary figures are estimates, not official U.S. pay rates. Source
- Performance bonus: Some contracts add bonuses for strong results, such as winning a championship. Source
- Personal sponsorships: A driver's personal sponsor deals can bring in money outside the team salary. Source
How pay changes with experience
| Stage | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 rookie Arvid Lindblad | $500,000–$1M Estimate | 2026 estimated base salary for the season's rookie driver. (Source) |
| 2026 highest-paid estimate: Max Verstappen | $70M Estimate | 2026 estimated base salary; bonuses and sponsor deals are separate. (Source) |
What famous F1 drivers make
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | $76M (2025) Estimate Estimated 2025 total pay, including salary and bonuses (Source) |
| Lando Norris | $57.5M (2025) Estimate Estimated 2025 total pay, including salary and bonuses (Source) |
| Charles Leclerc | $30M (2025) Estimate Estimated 2025 base salary (Source) |
How do you become an F1 driver?
In the United States, drivers can start in karting and progress to junior series such as F4 U.S. and Formula Regional Americas. They build results and FIA points in higher series like F3 and F2, meet the licence rules, and aim to earn a seat with an F1 team.
- Start kart racing and build driving skills.
- Race in F4 U.S. or similar junior series.
- Move up to F3 and F2 and earn results and FIA points.
- Meet the rules and earn an FIA Super Licence.
- Earn an F1 team seat and make a Grand Prix debut.
Qualifications and exams
Some U.S. races need a state licence and racing credential. F1 needs an FIA Grade A licence, age 18 (17 by exception), 80% of two eligible seasons, 40 points and a rules test.
A day as an F1 driver
On a Grand Prix weekend, a driver tests the car in practice and tells the engineers what they notice. After a session, they review video and data, discuss adjustments, rest, and get ready for qualifying or the race.
Common questions
Does a driver's base salary include bonuses and sponsor deals?
No. The 2026 salary estimates exclude team and performance bonuses as well as personal sponsor contracts. Source
Can strong results bring extra bonus pay?
They can. Forbes estimated that Lando Norris received a $10 million bonus for winning the 2025 championship. Source
Can personal sponsors pay a driver separately?
Yes. Personal sponsor contracts are separate from the salary estimates published for team pay. Source
Who receives prize money tied to team standings?
F1 describes position-based prize money as part of the team championship. Its explainer does not say how a team may share that money with a driver. Source
Do drivers also attend sponsor events?
Yes. Drivers also have marketing and partner duties, including interviews and meet-and-greets. The team article does not state a separate fee for these activities. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Rookies and lower-paid drivers | $500,000–$2M | RacingNews365 2026 estimates; converted at 2025 average exchange rate |
| Typical full-time driver (estimated grid median) | $10M | Median of RacingNews365 2026 grid salary estimates |
| Top driver (Forbes 2025 estimate incl. bonuses; about ¥11.4B) | $76M | Forbes 2025 estimate of $76M (as reported by PlanetF1) converted at $1 = ¥150 |
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- racingnews365.com/f1-drivers-salaries-2026
- www.planetf1.com/news/max-verstappen-beats-lewis-hamilton-to-be-named-best-paid-
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/print/athletes-and-sports-competitors.h
- www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?stat_infid=000040163741
- fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CCUSMA02JPA618N
- www.fia.com/system/files/documents/appendix_l_2026_publie_le_24_juin_2026.pdf
- www.f4uschampionship.com/pages/the-f4-story
- www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-formula-1-d
- www.mclaren.com/racing/formula-1/2026/what-do-formula-1-drivers-do-between-sessi
- www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2025/12/09/formula-1s-highest-paid-drivers-2025
This job is not covered directly by government wage statistics, so the figures come from leagues, associations, surveys and the press.