F1 stars’ dizzying 2025 salaries revealed with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton earning nearly DOUBLE nearest rival

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.

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Max Verstappen remains F1’s top dog – both on the track and earnings[/caption]

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Lewis Hamilton has made the switch to Ferrari for the upcoming season[/caption]

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It leaves George Russell as Mercedes’ top driver – and he has the salary to prove it[/caption]

Hamilton will be behind the wheel for the first time at the season opener in Melbourne on March 16.

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

And it sees him earning a staggering £48million as he targets an eighth world crown.

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

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

In sharp contrast, Verstappen’s new teammate Liam Lawson, 23, will pocket just £800,000.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc bags £27m, over £20m less than new team-mate Hamilton.

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

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

His lucrative deal with McLaren runs until next year – and he currently bags £16m in annual salary.

At the other end of the spectrum, both Jack Doohan of Alpine and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar will take home £700,000 this year.

And Lance Stroll’s open contract with Aston Martin sees the 26-year-old earn £2.3m 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.

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 The Telegraph: “Hamilton won’t last [two years].

“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.”

Verstappen and Hamilton will join the rest of the F1 drivers for a special event on February 18.

For the first time in the sport’s history, all ten teams are coming together to unveil their new liveries.

The 2025 F1 1 season begins with a double-header, starting with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 16.

Just a week later, Shanghai will host the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23.