The Formula 1 grid for 2026 also reflects a stark salary gap between rookie drivers and established champions. Contracts range from basic figures at the lower end to multimillion-dollar deals at the top of the championship.
The 2026 Formula 1 season will not only be marked by technical changes and a new regulatory cycle, but also by the attention generated by drivers’ contracts. Salaries across the grid show a considerable difference between those just beginning their journey in the category and the celebrated stars who lead the top teams.
At the bottom of the scale are drivers with entry-level deals or less experience in the premier class. Names like Franco Colapinto, Ollie Bearman, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar fall into this group, earning close to one million a year, while other young talents such as Gabriel Bortoleto or Andrea Kimi Antonelli sit around the two-million mark, within contracts typical of development projects.
One step above are racers who have already completed full seasons or play important roles in midfield teams. This group includes drivers like Lance Stroll, with an estimated salary of around three million, along with others such as Esteban Ocon or Nico Hülkenberg, who are positioned around seven million. Alexander Albon also falls within that range, with a figure close to eight million.
In the middle of the list are names with greater sporting weight and continuity within competitive structures. Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly are near ten million, while Oscar Piastri is listed with an estimated contract of six million, reflecting his potential and his place within a team with high ambitions.
Higher up the salary scale are drivers who play central roles in historic teams or have an established track record within the championship. Fernando Alonso is positioned near twenty million annually, a level reserved for champions with real influence in the paddock. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, exceeds thirty million, holding one of the highest contracts at Ferrari.
At the very top of the salary ranking are the sport’s biggest stars. Lewis Hamilton is reported to earn approximately sixty million per season, while Max Verstappen leads the list with a figure close to sixty-five million, cementing himself as the highest-paid Formula 1 driver in 2026.
The overall picture shows how contracts depend on experience, role within the team, and negotiating power. On a grid of 22 drivers, the gap between the lowest and highest salaries once again highlights the enormous economic range that exists within the championship.
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