When it comes to Formula 1’s top earners, the numbers off-track are sometimes just as wild as those on the speedometer.
Yahoo Finance just dropped its list of the richest F1 drivers of 2025, and the podium is packed with horsepower and hefty paychecks.
The top three earners are not only dominating the track, they're also building empires off it.
Lewis Hamilton: $453 milllion
Leading the pack is Lewis Hamilton, the sport’s first and (so far) only Black driver, whose jump to Ferrari came with a jaw-dropping $100 million annual contract.
But Hamilton isn’t just making history on the track. On Monday, Topps announced an exclusive trading card and memorabilia deal with Hamilton, and with endorsements from brands like Bose, Monster Energy and Tommy Hilfiger, Hamilton’s empire is said to be around $453 million. He's also used his platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion in motorsport, launching the Hamilton Commission to increase Black representation in STEM and racing.
Fernando Alonso: $260 million
Right behind him is Fernando Alonso, the Dutch prodigy, turned legend, Alonso was the fourth highest-paid F1 driver of 2024, earning a grand total of $27.5 million with endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Tag Heuer, leading to a total net worth estimated at $260 million.
Max Verstappen: $217 million
Rounding out the top three is Max Verstappen, he may be the youngest of the trio, but he’s already carved out a legacy and a fortune.
Verstappen was the highest-paid driver in F1 in 2024, earning a staggering $75 million in salary and bonuses with an estimated net worth of $217 million thanks to hefty endorsement deals with brands such as Red bull, Heineken, EA Sports and Oracle.