Certainly, here’s a breakdown of the highest and lowest-paid F1 drivers for the 2023 season:
Highest-Paid F1 Drivers:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – $55 million: As the reigning champion and one of the sport’s top talents, Verstappen commands the highest salary on the grid as he seeks his third consecutive drivers’ championship.
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – $35 million: The seven-time world champion remains one of the highest earners in F1, even though he didn’t win a race last season.
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – $24 million: Leclerc’s strong performances have earned him a substantial salary, making him the third top earner on the grid in 2023.
4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – $10 million: Red Bull’s second driver Perez has proven his worth with a career-best third-place finish in 2022, earning him a significant salary.
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – $12 million: Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, also commands a hefty salary, reflecting Ferrari’s confidence in their driver lineup.
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) – $20 million: Despite not having won an F1 race yet, Norris is one of the best-paid drivers, indicating McLaren’s belief in his potential.
7. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) – $6 million: Ocon’s consistent performances in his fourth season with Alpine have secured him a $6 million salary.
8. George Russell (Mercedes) – $8 million: The young Brit, considered a future world champion, receives a substantial salary, hinting at Mercedes’ faith in his abilities.
Lowest-Paid F1 Drivers:
1. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) – $1 million: Despite entering his third F1 season, Tsunoda remains on a rookie-level contract with a $1 million salary.
2. Logan Sargeant (Williams) – $1 million: Debuting for Williams in 2023, Sargeant has the equal-smallest salary on the grid as a rookie.
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – $2 million: Replacing Daniel Ricciardo, Piastri is on a rookie deal for 2023.
4. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) – $2 million: Although Zhou has been handed a contract extension by Alfa Romeo, it’s set to expire at the end of 2023.
5. Nyck de Vries (AlphaTauri) – $2 million: De Vries, despite being a rookie, receives a $2 million salary, emphasizing his motorsport experience.
6. Alex Albon (Williams) – $3 million: In his fourth F1 season, Albon secures a $3 million salary with Williams, displaying his potential.
These salaries are approximate basic salaries (USD) and do not include performance bonuses or sponsorships, as reported by RacingNews365.
