Oscar Piastri may have missed out on the 2025 drivers’ championship, but his season was nothing short of a financial triumph. Forbes’ newly published F1 earnings list revealed the astonishing wealth generated across the grid, spotlighting how handsomely the sport rewards its elite competitors. While Max Verstappen unsurprisingly dominated the rankings with a staggering $114 million haul, the spotlight soon shifted to the younger generation rising fast behind him.
Lewis Hamilton endured a turbulent debut season at Ferrari, failing to score a single podium, yet his immense $106 million payout underscored his enduring commercial power. His teammate Charles Leclerc—despite outperforming him with seven podiums and 242 points—earned a considerably smaller $45 million and received no bonus payments, highlighting the striking financial disparity even within the same garage.
Lando Norris, crowned world champion at last, secured third place on the rich list with more than $86 million, the majority coming from substantial performance bonuses. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, however, produced one of the most remarkable financial leaps of the season, cementing his place among F1’s top earners.
Piastri’s exceptional campaign delivered him an impressive $56 million windfall, split between a $15 million base salary and a monumental $41 million in bonuses. This marks a dramatic rise from the $17 million in bonus earnings he collected the previous year, reflecting both his growing influence within McLaren and his expanding value as a title contender. Forbes’ figures excluded sponsorship and off-track deals, meaning Piastri’s total annual income is likely even higher.
Beyond the individual stories, the updated rich list showcased the evolving economic hierarchy within Formula 1, from Verstappen’s dominance to the emerging financial muscle of rising stars like Piastri and Norris. As teams navigate competitive pressures, escalating budgets, and increasingly incentive-heavy contracts, the wealth of modern F1 drivers continues to surge—painting a vivid picture of a sport where performance is measured not only in points, but in millions.
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