Top 10 Formula 1 drivers by career earnings

Top 10 Formula 1 drivers by career earnings

10. Charles Leclerc – $92 million
Leclerc’s earnings reached $92 million by 2024, largely due to his contract with Ferrari and endorsements from brands like Richard Mille and Hublot. Starting with Alfa Romeo Sauber in 2018, his salary jumped significantly after joining Ferrari in 2019, where he signed a contract extension in 2023.

9. Daniel Ricciardo – $96 million
Ricciardo’s career earnings hit $96 million by October 2024. His highest earnings came in 2020, when he made nearly $26 million with Renault. His time with McLaren also added to his wealth, bringing in about $12 million in 2022.

8. Nico Rosberg – $111 million
Rosberg earned around $111 million during his career, primarily from his time with Mercedes between 2010 and 2016. His annual earnings peaked between $15 and $20 million, especially in his 2016 championship-winning season.

7. Jenson Button – $161 million
Button’s long F1 career brought in over $160 million, with peak earnings of $16.5 million per year at McLaren. In addition to his F1 salary, he secured endorsements with brands like Tag Heuer and 5-hour Energy.

6. Max Verstappen – $220 million
Verstappen’s rapid rise in F1 has earned him around $220 million by 2024. With an annual salary of $55 million from Red Bull, and major endorsements, his career earnings are expected to continue growing rapidly.

5. Kimi Räikkönen – $322 million
Räikkönen, a fixture in F1 since 2001, accumulated $322 million in career earnings. His highest salary came during his time with Ferrari in 2009, peaking at $45 million.

4. Sebastian Vettel – $338 million
Vettel’s career earnings stand at about $338 million. His highest salary came with Ferrari between 2018 and 2020, where he earned $50 million a year. His later years with Aston Martin also contributed with a $15 million annual salary.

3. Fernando Alonso – $498 million
Alonso has earned close to $500 million during his lengthy F1 career, with peak earnings of $33 million a year at Ferrari in 2012 and 2013. He currently races for Aston Martin, earning $10 million per season.

2. Lewis Hamilton – $577 million
Hamilton, one of the highest-paid athletes globally, has amassed $577 million through F1 salaries and endorsements. His current contract with Mercedes pays him $55 million a year, and his sponsorship deals include brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Monster Energy.

1. Michael Schumacher – $600 million
Schumacher leads the list with $600 million in career earnings, mostly from his time at Ferrari. He also earned substantial sums through endorsements, including $10 million annually for wearing the Shell logo. His total earnings from sponsorships alone exceeded $50 million per year at his peak.