The 2025 Formula One season may not have delivered a championship trophy for Oscar Piastri, but it marked a major financial triumph for the Australian driver. Forbes released its annual F1 earnings list, revealing the staggering paydays collected across the grid — and Piastri’s rise was one of the most eye-catching stories of the year.
Max Verstappen topped the rankings at an enormous $114 million, reaffirming his status as the sport’s financial powerhouse. Lewis Hamilton followed closely with $106 million, despite enduring a difficult debut season at Ferrari with no podium finishes. Even so, Hamilton’s base salary dwarfed that of teammate Charles Leclerc, who scored seven podiums yet earned no bonuses.
Further down the list, newly crowned world champion Lando Norris secured over $86 million, boosted largely by a massive bonus tally. But the biggest leap belonged to Piastri, whose standout performances helped him secure an incredible $56 million — a dramatic jump from the $17 million in bonuses he earned the previous year.
Forbes clarified that the list excludes endorsements and focuses strictly on salary and performance-based incentives. Bonus structures often depend on points, wins, and team scale, making Piastri’s haul a testament to his consistency and rising status. He now sits firmly among the sport’s top earners, underscoring how 2025 became a defining year both on and off the track.
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