Max Verstappen was comfortably the top-earning driver during the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship season, the Red Bull triple World Champion earned $70-million during his record-breaking rampage. Lewis Hamilton on $55-million per year from Mercedes remains the highest retainer, $10-million more than Red Bull pays Verstappen. In all, the ten highest-paid drivers in F1 banked an estimated (pre-taxes) $258-million this year, a tad down from 2022’s $264 million. Although comprehensively outbeaten by Verstappen in the other Red Bull, the Mexican veteran finished second, to give the team their first one-two in the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings. Notably, Verstappen has a handy collection of private backers as well as a thriving merchandising add-on to his phenomenal F1 success.

Source: Forbes December 20, 2023 13:19 UTC