Which Formula 1 driver earns a regular salary the quickest?

With Drive to Survive Season 7 had premiered on March 7, 2025, just a week before the start of the F1 2025 season, the world’s attention had returned to Formula 1. As fans had geared up for another thrilling season, a fascinating question had arisen:

How did an F1 driver’s salary compare to that of an average worker?  

F1 drivers are among the highest-paid athletes in the world, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen earning millions annually. But just how quickly can they surpass the median salary of an average worker in Canada, the U.S., and the UK?  

 How Quickly Do F1 Drivers Earn a Regular Salary?  

A study conducted by Spin Genie analyzed the earnings of top F1 drivers from the 2024 season and compared them to the median salaries in Canada, the U.S., and the UK. The results are staggering.  

 Top F1 Earners per Minute  

1. Lewis Hamilton earns $24,506.53 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 2.5 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 1.9 minutes in Canada  
   - 1.9 minutes in the UK  

2. Max Verstappen earns $20,501.14 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 3.0 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 2.2 minutes in Canada  
   - 2.3 minutes in the UK  

3. Charles Leclerc earns $13,812.15 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 4.5 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 3.3 minutes in Canada  
   - 3.4 minutes in the UK  

4. Fernando Alonso earns $10,938.92 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 5.6 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 4.2 minutes in Canada  
   - 4.3 minutes in the UK  

5. Lando Norris earns $9,131.17 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 6.8 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 5.0 minutes in Canada  
   - 5.1 minutes in the UK  

6. Carlos Sainz earns $6,106.25 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 10.1 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 7.5 minutes in Canada  
   - 7.6 minutes in the UK  

7. Sergio Perez earns $5,049.23 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 12.2 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 9.0 minutes in Canada  
   - 9.2 minutes in the UK  

8. Valtteri Bottas earns $4,392.71 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 14.1 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 10.4 minutes in Canada  
   - 10.6 minutes in the UK  

9. George Russell earns $3,508.16 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 17.6 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 13.0 minutes in Canada  
   - 13.3 minutes in the UK  

10. Esteban Ocon earns $3,036.44 per minute and surpasses the median salary in:  
   - 20.3 minutes in the U.S.  
   - 15.0 minutes in Canada  
   - 15.3 minutes in the UK  

Lewis Hamilton is the fastest to earn an average salary, taking less than 2 minutes in Canada and the UK, and just 2.5 minutes in the U.S. Max Verstappen follows closely behind, with Charles Leclerc rounding out the top three. Even drivers lower on the list, like George Russell and Esteban Ocon, take under 20 minutes to earn what an average worker makes in a year.  

The financial divide between F1 drivers and everyday professionals is immense, highlighting just how lucrative the sport is at its highest level.  

Credit: Research conducted by Spin Genie.