Lando Norris is aiming to make it two titles on the trot, having spectacularly secured glory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix back in December.

But Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, will be out for revenge after narrowly missing out on that occasion.

Lewis Hamilton enters the new campaign looking to silence his critics after a difficult first season at Ferrari.

And Oscar Piastri, who finished third last season, has enough about him to compete at the very top.

But who is the best-paid driver? GB News now takes you through the top 10, what they take home and what makes them, in the eyes of their teams at least, worth the money.

1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

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The reigning benchmark of the grid, Verstappen, continues to command the highest total package in the sport at an estimated £55million.

His long-term commitment to Red Bull Racing, which currently runs through 2028, ensures he remains the best-rewarded athlete in F1 history.

While his base retainer is a staggering £47m, the Dutchman’s contract is heavily bolstered by performance-related incentives, estimated at roughly £8m for 2026, reflecting his consistent ability to deliver victories and championships for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

2) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

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Now firmly established in his tenure with Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton takes the second spot with estimated earnings of £51m.

Unlike his rivals, Hamilton’s deal is reportedly structured around a massive flat base salary of £50m, making him the highest-guaranteed earner before any bonuses are considered.

His move to Maranello has been a commercial masterstroke for both parties; beyond his driving duties, the seven-time champion’s contract is said to involve significant investment into his charitable foundations and long-term brand legacy.

3) Lando Norris

Norris has rocketed into the upper echelon of F1’s earners following his 2025 World Championship triumph.

His 2026 package is estimated at £41m, though its structure differs sharply from the veterans above him.

Norris earns a relatively modest base of £13m, but his championship-winning form has triggered a phenomenal £28m in performance bonuses.

Having signed a long-term extension that keeps him at Woking until at least 2027, Norris is now the undisputed cornerstone of McLaren’s resurgence.

4) Oscar Piastri

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The meteoric rise of Oscar Piastri is reflected in his £27m estimated earnings for the 2026 season.

Mirroring his teammate’s incentive-heavy structure, Piastri receives a £7m base salary, which is more than tripled by an estimated £20m in bonuses following McLaren’s recent Constructors’ Championship success.

His rapid development into a race winner has prompted McLaren to secure his services with a bumper new contract that reportedly rivals the upper tier of the grid, ensuring the team retains the most expensive, and productive, young duo in the paddock.

5) Charles Leclerc

Rounding out the top five is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with a reported flat salary of £21m.

While his total figure sits below his teammate Hamilton, Leclerc’s contract is notable for its stability, consisting entirely of a guaranteed base with no reported performance bonuses for the 2026 cycle.

Having been a staple of the Ferrari family since 2019, Leclerc’s current multi-year agreement reportedly includes “step-up” clauses that will see his earnings continue to climb toward the £40m mark as he approaches the end of the decade.

Who else makes the top 10?

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6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): £19m.

7. George Russell (Mercedes): £18m.

8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): £9m.

9. Carlos Sainz (Williams): £9m

10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): £9m