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MAX VERSTAPPEN and Lewis Hamilton top the list of Formula One's highest earners - as they prepare for another Championship battle.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton is preparing to make his Ferrari debut after a shock switch from Mercedes.

Max Verstappen celebrating his F1 World Championship win.
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Max Verstappen remains F1's top dog - both on the track and in terms of earningsCredit: Getty
Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari gear greeting fans.
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Lewis Hamilton has made the switch to Ferrari for the upcoming seasonCredit: Splash
George Russell celebrates his Formula 1 race win.
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It leaves George Russell as Mercedes' top driver - and he has the salary to prove itCredit: Getty

Hamilton will be behind the wheel for the first time at the season opener in Australia on Sunday.

The 40-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Italian giants.

And it sees him earning a staggering £48million ($60m) a year as he targets an eighth world crown.

Things haven't got off to the perfect start though as he could only qualify eighth in Melbourne and admitted that "I've still got a way to go" in terms of mastering his new drive.

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Reigning champion Verstappen will pocket the most cash in 2025 - just as he did last year.

The Dutchman is given £52m-a-year ($65m) by Red Bull, with his current deal running for a further three seasons.

In sharp contrast, Verstappen's new team-mate Liam Lawson, 23, - who is dating a stunning former medical student - will pocket just £800,000 ($1m).

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc bags £27m ($34m), over £20m less than new team-mate Hamilton.

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While George Russell, now the top dog at Mercedes, will earn a cool £12m ($15m).

Illustration of 2025 F1 driver salaries, ranked by annual salary.

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Lando Norris had a season to remember in 2024 with four wins and a second-placed overall finish.

He looks set for another strong season after taking pole for Sunday's cutrain raiser in Down Under.

His lucrative deal with McLaren runs until next year - and he currently bags £16m ($20m) in his annual salary.

Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia

At the other end of the spectrum, both Jack Doohan of Alpine and Red Bull's Isack Hadjar will take home £700,000 ($850k) this year.

And Lance Stroll's open contract with Aston Martin sees the 26-year-old earn £2.3m ($3m) each season.

Verstappen's dominance of the sport in recent years has seen him win four consecutive titles.

He won nine races last year - the least of any of the last four seasons.

Three Formula 1 drivers standing together.
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It was a front row lockout for McLaren in Australia as Oscar Piastri scored P2, while Max Verstappen only managed thirdCredit: Reuters
Formula 1 driver standing on a platform surrounded by FIA cones and photographers.
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Lewis Hamilton had a tough qualifying as he spun out in Melbourne before only managing P8Credit: AFP

F1 Australia results

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. George Russell (Mercedes)

5. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)

6. Alex Albon (Williams)

7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

14. Jack Doohan (Alpine)

15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

16. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

17. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

18. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

19. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

20. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

2025 Formula 1 season calendar.
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Verstappen admitted: "Last year has been challenging at times.

"Of course, we had a lot of good moments, of course, also some tough moments.

"I hope that we can be, let's say, a little bit more stable and a little bit more all-round throughout the season."

Ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone recently gave his opinion on whether Hamilton could challenge Verstappen in his Ferrari.

And the 94-year-old pulled no punches with his response.

Ecclestone told : "Hamilton won’t last [two years].

F1 2025 grid

Here are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:

Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli

McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Williams: Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz

Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto

Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan

RB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar

Haas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon

"Piero Ferrari, who has taken him there, still thinks they’ve done the right thing.

"I hope they have. I hope they haven’t just jumped in and end up wishing they hadn’t."

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The 2025 F1 season begins with a double-header, starting with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park this weekend.

Then Shanghai will host the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23.

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