10 highest paid Formula One racers of 2022: from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and Ferrari speedsters Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc

Nov 26 , 2022

Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen all raked in big money this year. Photos: @lewishamilton; @georgerussell63; @landonorris; @maxverstappen1/Instagram

The F1 season closed with Verstappen bagging US$60 million, while Hamilton still makes stacks of cash from Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy and Puma

Retiring Aston Martin star Sebastian Vettel pulled in US$17 million while Daniel Ricciardo, from Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive may have scored a new Hulu gig

The Formula One season recently came to a close with another exciting finish in Abu Dhabi, but Red Bull’s speed racer Max Verstappen had already bagged the championship in Japan last month. The Belgian-Dutch national secured his second straight World Championship title during the 18th round, as per the official Formula One website.

Drivers compete during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the Emirati city of Abu Dhabi on November 20. Photo: AFP

F1 brings a lot of prestige, and the financial pay-off from top brand sponsors is off the charts. So who are the top-paid racers of 2022, according to a recent Forbes report – and how much wealthier have the biggest names in the game become this year?

10. George Russell – US$10 million

George Russell earned about US$10 million in salary and bonuses in 2022. Photo: @georgerussell63/Instagram

Kicking off the list is Mercedes’ own George Russell, who makes a combined US$10 million in salary and bonuses, according to Forbes.

Mercedes’ George Russell at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the UAE on November 19. Photo: Reuters

The 24-year-old has taken a leap in the races by finishing fourth overall in the final standings, making him the top Mercedes driver for the year, ahead of household name Lewis Hamilton.

9. Lando Norris – US$11 million

Lando Norris may only be 23, but he’s already worth millions. Photo: @landonorris/Instagram

McLaren’s Lando Norris is slated to make US$11 million after he secured a long-term deal with the race team, per Forbes. Crash once dubbed the British up-and-comer one of the sport’s brightest hopes.

McLaren’s Lando Norris is an up and coming star in the world of F1. Photo: Reuters

The 23-year-old racer did well, finishing in seventh place overall with 122 points.

10 highest paid Formula One racers of 2022: from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and Ferrari speedsters Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc

10. George Russell – US$10 million

9. Lando Norris – US$11 million

8. Carlos Sainz – US$15 million