MAX VERSTAPPEN is the highest-earning F1 driver – beating Lewis Hamilton by a staggering £17million.
The Red Bull driver is the dominant force in F1 after winning ten consecutive races, and his salary reflects that.
Max Verstappen is the highest earning driver by a significant marginRex
GettyLewis Hamilton earns £17million less than his rival[/caption]
AFPVerstappen earns more than five times that of his team-mate Sergio Perez[/caption]
Four drivers earn more than £10m a year
Verstappen, 25, is on course to claim his third successive championship and he is now one of the highest-earning sportsmen in the world.
He is paid an eye-watering annual salary of £45m by Red Bull.
Hamilton is the next highest-paid F1 star but comes in quite far behind at £28m-a-year.
Verstappen is paid more than five times that of his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Hamilton also earns significantly than his partner, George Russell, who is the eighth on the list of top salaries.
The Brit collects around £6.5m a year from Mercedes but could pick up a more lucrative deal when it comes to renewing after impressing since his 2022 arrival.
Rounding off the top three is Charles Leclerc at £20m-a-year.
Ferrari’s No1 has been linked to Red Bull with both him and Perez out of contract at the end of the year.
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Red Bull are believed to be keen but he could prove to be quite an expensive option, with their other target Lando Norris possibly available for a lower salary.
Norris has an annual wage of £16m, and is one of only four drivers to break the £10m barrier.
Perez and Russell are joined in the next band of drivers to make £5m or more which also includes Carlos Sainz, Valterri Bottas and Esteban Ocon.
Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly fall just short at £4m, while Yuki Tsunoda and Red Bull reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo earn less than £1m, as does Williams’ Logan Sergeant.