Arguably the most popular motorsport in existence, Formula 1 got off to a strong start in 2026. With 11 teams and 22 drivers this season, fans have a lot of choices in terms of picking their favourite racer. And judging by the first few races, the race to the championship title promises to be intense this time.
Over the years, the popularity of F1 has grown from strength to strength. The revenue it generates from ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights makes F1 a global phenomenon. Even the success it enjoys in pop culture, courtesy of series like Formula 1: Drive to Survive and films like F1: The Movie, plays a huge role in ensuring that F1 is one of the wealthiest sporting disciplines in the world.
Naturally, as part of such a glamorous motorsport, the drivers enjoy lucrative monetary benefits. Besides signing multi-million-dollar contracts with their respective constructor sides, the racers have the luxury of boasting a plethora of multinational conglomerates in their endorsement portfolios. Many of them even own lavish residences in Monaco, a city-state synonymous with opulence.
Now, the real question is: who is the wealthiest of them all? Get ready for a ride through prosperity as we bring you the 10 richest F1 drivers in 2026 who are a part of the current grid.
These are the richest active F1 drivers in 2026
1. Lewis Hamilton
Net worth in 2026: USD 450 million
The long-running debate of ‘Michael Schumacher vs Lewis Hamilton — who is the greatest F1 driver?’ is yet to be settled, since both are tied for the maximum world championship wins (seven). Will this year finally see the Briton standing alone and over everyone else with his eighth title in hand? Only time will tell.
What we can tell you for now is that Hamilton is miles ahead of the rest when it comes to his wealth. From luxury mansions to supercars, the seven-time world champion owns almost everything money can buy. To put things in perspective, the Scuderia Ferrari driver’s car collection alone is worth over USD 40 million, which is more than the total valuation of most drivers on the current grid.
Hamilton is seldom away from the attention of popular media. While he did not enjoy a great time on the track in 2025, he spent a lot of hours in front of the camera, courtesy of his role as a producer of the Academy Award-winning F1 movie. Fans went gaga seeing him go toe-to-toe with Brad Pitt on the silver screen. In other news, he’s rumoured to be dating reality TV star Kim Kardashian. According to recent media reports, the couple along with Kardashian’s children Saint, Chicago, and Psalm were spotted holidaying in Tokyo during the weekend of 21 March 2026.
With a personality so charismatic and iconic, Lewis Hamilton rightfully owns the top spot on the podium of the richest F1 drivers in 2026.
2. Fernando Alonso
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Net worth in 2026: USD 260 million
The clock is ticking, and he’s not getting any older. In fact, at the age of 44 (soon to be 45), he is the oldest F1 driver on the grid at present. But Fernando Alonso keeps pushing the limits. Though his prime is well behind him, the Spaniard’s indomitable spirit to keep competing in the most demanding motorsport is proof that willpower can take you to great heights.
Even if he does not win a single race anymore, Alonso will forever rank among the most decorated drivers in F1’s storied history. Throughout his career, he has won 32 races with five constructor teams. A two-time world champion (in 2005 and 2006), here are some of his achievements outside of Formula 1:
- FIA World Endurance Championship winner (in 2018-19)
- 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (in 2018 and 2019)
- 24 Hours of Daytona winner (in 2019)
A contract worth USD 40 million with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team sees Fernando Alonso rank among the richest active F1 drivers in 2026. However, one is not wrong in wondering if the Spaniard can make the list next year.
3. Max Verstappen
Net worth in 2026: USD 200 million
He might have lost his world championship title to Lando Norris last season, but Max Verstappen won the hearts of millions around the globe. While the constructors’ championship was already settled, the drivers’ crown had to wait till the final race before the Briton could clinch it. Even with a disastrous car, Verstappen staged a miraculous comeback to end the season just two points shy of Norris.
The Dutch driver has a new partner in Isack Hadjar this time, but the start of the campaign has not been too great for him. In the new RB22 car, Verstappen has been far from impressive — he ended sixth in Australia and could not even finish the race in China a week later. But, if last year has taught us something, it would be unwise to give up on the four-time world champion just yet.
After all, it is Max Verstappen’s world, and we are just living in it. Even Hollywood couldn’t bring itself to show either Brad Pitt or Damson Idris getting the better of the most talented driver on the grid; such is his aura.
4. Lando Norris
Net worth in 2026: USD 80 million
After helping McLaren clinch the constructors’ title in 2024, Lando Norris eyed the drivers’ championship in 2025. He started the season on a strong note, but as the year progressed, the Briton was entangled in a host of problems within his side. To make matters worse, Max Verstappen made a comeback for the ages in the latter half of 2025, and it was only a podium finish at the Abu Dhabi GP that saw Norris secure the championship title by a meagre two points.
As the defending champion, the British driver is shouldering a mountain of expectations this year. On the bright side, the world title win gave Norris’ net worth a significant boost, courtesy of the bonus he took home as part of his contract. Moreover, he is the face of multiple brands like Richard Mille, TUMI, Monster Energy, PlayStation, and Ralph Lauren Fragrances, among others, all of whom add substantial paycheques to his account.
Though he hasn’t made a bright start to the 2026 campaign, there is ample time for Lando Norris to pick up his pace and retain his crown by the time Formula 1 heads to the Yas Marina Circuit in December.
5. Charles Leclerc
Net worth in 2026: USD 70 million
Mercedes and Ferrari, two of the most glamorous constructors in the history of Formula 1, have enjoyed early success this season. For the latter, Charles Leclerc has been a bright ray of hope — he began the year with a P3 finish in Australia, making a strong statement that he’s here to fight for the championship title.
The Monegasque driver has been in the news of late owing to his marriage to Alexandra Saint Mleux. Right before the start of the new season, the newly betrothed couple sent the netizens gushing over the two of them. And, judging by Leclerc’s recent run of form, it looks like his spouse has brought him good luck.
With an annual salary of USD 25 million, Leclerc is one of the highest-paid drivers on the current grid. Naturally, he lives a luxurious lifestyle, including owning a house near the hallowed street circuit in Monaco. Needless to say, the Ferrari racer is a valuable addition to our list of the richest F1 drivers in 2026.
6. Lance Stroll
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Net worth in 2026: USD 50 million
He made his Formula 1 debut in 2017, and in the next nine years, he has been on the podium only thrice without a single race win. So, how does Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll find a place in our list of the richest F1 drivers in 2026?
Well, the credit for that goes to his inheritance. The Canadian racer is the son of Lawrence Stroll, the executive chairman and a part-owner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. Lawrence Stroll’s status as a billionaire businessman directly reflects on Lance Stroll’s multi-million-dollar net worth. Fans have often criticised him for being a nepo baby, and while that is harsh, they are not entirely wrong.
Now paired with a legend like Fernando Alonso, Stroll will be more than eager to prove his naysayers wrong, and a handful of podium finishes in 2026 will certainly help his cause.
7. Sergio Pérez
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Net worth in 2026: USD 50 million
Sergio Pérez is perhaps one of the most talented drivers in the history of Formula 1 to have not won the championship title. He came close in 2023, and in all fairness, the Mexican could have won it in any other year, but Max Verstappen was on a generational run, and he was simply unstoppable.
That title loss and an unimpressive campaign next season saw Pérez’s contract with Red Bull Racing being terminated at the end of 2024. While many fans were heartbroken, his record of six wins in 14 seasons did not make a strong case for him, either.
However, at times, fate gives a chance at redemption, and ‘Checo’ Pérez will certainly feel that he deserves his seat at the debutant Cadillac Formula 1 Team. Partnering alongside Valtteri Bottas, the Mexican driver aims to make a solid comeback to F1 this year. Though the start hasn’t been great, the season is long, and with many drivers struggling with the revised regulations and new cars, all Pérez needs to do is keep a cool head and hold the fort on his end.
8. Carlos Sainz Jr.
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Net worth in 2026: USD 50 million
In 2025, Williams led the midfield pack with a 100-plus points haul. As a result, fans and pundits are optimistic about the team’s chances this season. While the Australian GP did not go as planned, Carlos Sainz Jr. scored the British constructor side its first points the week after in China.
The son of two-time World Rally Championship winner Carlos Sainz Cenamor, the Spaniard enjoyed his best time in Formula 1 with Scuderia Ferrari. He replaced four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2021, and alongside Charles Leclerc, he ensured that the Prancing Horse flag flew high. Sainz Jr. won four races with the Italian side before joining Williams in 2025.
As a high-profile Formula 1 driver, Carlos Sainz Jr. enjoys sponsorship deals with an array of brands like L’Oreal Paris, Santander, Estrella Galicia, and Richard Mille, among others. Reports estimate that his earnings from these endorsements range from USD 4 million to USD 7 million. Combined with his annual salary of USD 10 million with Williams, it is not difficult to fathom why the Spaniard is one of the richest F1 drivers in 2026.
9. Oscar Piastri
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Net worth in 2026: USD 50 million
While McLaren and Lando Norris’ title wins in 2025 were the ‘happy ending’ moments for ‘Team Papaya’, Oscar Piastri is the anticlimactic face of the coin.
The Australian commenced the 2025 season on a strong note, winning multiple races and challenging teammate Lando Norris for the drivers’ championship crown. However, McLaren’s internal disputes caused Piastri to drop points, and by the end of the season, he was obliterated from the picture, though he was very much in the mix to claim the title in the three-way finale. Piastri was notably absent from McLaren and Norris’ title celebrations post the Abu Dhabi GP, which gave birth to concerns regarding his future with the British team.
Though that speculation has been put to rest, the Australian kicked off the 2026 campaign in a godawful fashion — he failed to start races on consecutive weekends in Australia and China. It is a shame to see a driver of Piastri’s calibre grapple with such issues. As F1 fans, we hope his season gets back on track as soon as possible.
However, don’t let his recent form taint your opinion of him — with nine race wins and 26 podiums, Piastri is already the most accomplished Australian F1 racer, overtaking the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. Given that he is still in his early 20s, the future certainly looks bright for him if he can navigate through this tough phase successfully.
10. George Russell
Net worth in 2026: USD 40 million
Rounding off this list of the richest F1 drivers in 2026 is George Russell.
Come 2026, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team made its intentions clear as a title contender with a P1-P2 finish at the season-opening Australian GP. Russell secured the win, and while he slipped to P2 in China the following weekend, the British driver ensured that he held onto his pole spot on the championship table.
Once the protégé of Lewis Hamilton, Russell took over as the primary driver of Mercedes in 2025 as the seven-time world champion switched camps to Ferrari. In his maiden season as the lead racer for the Silver Arrows, the Briton did remarkably well, shepherding rookie Kimi Antonelli to a seventh-place finish as he himself ended the season in fourth spot. The duo ensured that Mercedes clinched the second spot on the constructors’ championship table.
Now, with the momentum in its favour, the British side has the potential to secure the title this year. Can Russell and Antonelli take the Silver Arrows to the chequered flag? We will have to wait and see.
Russell’s impressive performance in the 2025 campaign prompted Mercedes to sign a contract extension with the Briton. With an annual salary of USD 34 million (approx.), he is now the third-highest-paid racer on the grid, trailing only Max Verstappen and Hamilton. We suspect it is just a matter of time before Russell climbs higher on this list of the wealthiest active F1 drivers.
(Hero Image Credits: Lewis Hamilton/Instagram, Max Verstappen/Instagram, and Lando Norris/Instagram; Featured Image Credit: Lando Norris/Instagram)
This story first appeared here.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.