Lewis Hamilton has topped the earnings chart among Formula 1 drivers for 2025, securing his position as the highest-paid in the sport, according to Sportico’s Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list published this year. The British driver’s combined income from winnings and endorsements reached $100 million, placing him 11th overall among global athletes.
Hamilton’s Earnings and Endorsements Outpace Fellow Drivers
Lewis Hamilton’s reported $70 million in earnings and winnings were boosted by an additional $30 million generated through endorsements. These endorsement revenues include income from sponsorships, licensing, royalties, memorabilia, appearances, golf course design, media projects, and book deals, showcasing a diversified portfolio beyond race purses. The Briton has fostered strong partnerships with major brands such as Dior, Lululemon, and Perplexity, contributing significantly to his off-track income.
In 2025, Hamilton expanded his involvement in media by serving as an executive producer on the Formula 1 movie featuring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. His influence also extends to social media, where he has amassed 42.1 million Instagram followers, the largest following of any current F1 driver.
Leading Competitors’ Positions on the List
Max Verstappen follows Hamilton as the second-highest earning Formula 1 driver, ranked 15th among all athletes worldwide. Verstappen’s total earnings amount to $75 million from race winnings plus $8 million from endorsements. Meanwhile, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri also appeared on the list, positioned 32nd and 96th respectively.
Norris, who secured his first Formula 1 drivers’ title in 2025, earned approximately $54 million in winnings with an added $5 million in endorsements. Rookie Oscar Piastri recorded $35 million in race earnings alongside $3 million from sponsorship deals, marking his entry among the highest-paid athletes.
Context of the 2025 Top Earners Across Sports
While the sport’s highest-paid driver is notable, Lewis Hamilton ranks below other international sports stars on the list. Cristiano Ronaldo took the top athlete position, boasting $200 million in salary and winnings combined with an extra $60 million from endorsements. Other prominent athletes featured include Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, basketball star LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, baseball’s Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and golfer Rory McIlroy.
What Hamilton’s Earnings Mean for Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton’s leading position among Formula 1 drivers highlights the growing commercial appeal and global reach of the sport’s top competitors. His success in endorsements and brand collaborations emphasizes the increasing value of personal branding beyond race results. The prominence of other drivers like Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri on the 2025 earnings list suggests a continuing rise in Formula 1’s financial landscape, potentially attracting new sponsors and expanding fan engagement worldwide.
