P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 Driver Salaries: How much Hamilton, Verstappen & co earn in 2026
F1 drivers’ elite skill and willingness to take risks are rewarded by their teams without affecting the cost cap, allowing outfits to pay as much as they want. The top teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren attract the best drivers due to their enhanced spending power in the sport. Driver salaries can change annually within a contract, often including pay rises over time. Max Verstappen is currently the highest-paid F1 driver in 2026, followed by Lewis Hamilton, although other drivers also earn through bonuses, sponsors, and personal ventures. Despite the budget cap, F1 driver salaries are not affected, as they are kept separate from the teams’ expenses, including the salaries of top employees and other exempt costs.
