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. 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. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. 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]. 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.".

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.