Lewis Hamilton Salary: Fascinates Fans
Lewis Hamilton salary always sparks debate. Fans want to know how much the seven-time world champion earns, how Ferrari pays him, and how his wages compare to Max Verstappen and other F1 stars.
As a result, this article provides a clear look at Lewis Hamilton’s salary in 2025 and beyond. It breaks down his Ferrari deal, his Mercedes years, his bonuses, and his long-term earning power.
Lewis Hamilton Salary in 2025
Right now, the most reliable reports suggest that Ferrari pays Lewis Hamilton a base salary of about $70 million per season. In pounds, that works out at roughly £48 million a year at current rates. Several F1 finance and news sites list him at around 60 million, which makes him one of the very best-paid drivers in the sport.
However, that figure does not include race-win bonuses, championship bonuses, or prize-money shares. It also excludes his sponsors and fashion deals. When you add these extra sources, some business outlets estimate Lewis Hamilton’s total annual income at 80 to 100 million dollars, depending on results and new endorsements.
How Ferrari transformed Lewis Hamilton Salary
Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. Reports state that Mercedes had been paying him around $55 to $57 million a year in 2024, including some performance bonuses. He already sat near the top of the F1 wage table.
Yet Ferrari wanted a superstar. The team offered him a big salary, long-term security, and an ambassador role after he retires from racing. Estimates from European media suggest his Ferrari deal pays a base salary of about 60 million, with additional bonuses for wins and titles.
Because of this, Lewis Hamilton’s salary now places him second on many lists of F1 driver pay, just behind Max Verstappen. In some seasons, depending on bonuses and off-track income, he can even overtake Verstappen in total yearly earnings.
The key parts of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari deal
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract looks complex from the outside. However, most reports agree on a few key parts.
First, he receives a high fixed base salary. That figure keeps him in the top two among F1 drivers and makes him the highest-paid driver in Ferrari history.
Second, he earns performance-based bonuses. These rewards usually trigger when he wins races, finishes on the podium, or helps Ferrari win titles. While exact clauses stay private, observers believe title-winning bonuses can add many millions to Lewis Hamilton’s salary in a strong season.
Third, he benefits from image rights and an ambassador role. Ferrari values his global profile, and many reports mention the brand planning to use him in road-car marketing long after he stops racing. This long-term link adds extra security and potential future income.
Lewis Hamilton Salary: Growth
Source: Deposit Photos
Lewis Hamilton did not start his career on superstar money. In his rookie year at McLaren in 2007, his pay sat far below today’s numbers. However, title fights, race wins, and his first world championship soon lifted his rate.
When he joined Mercedes in 2013, he took a bold career gamble. At first, his salary stayed strong but not yet record-breaking. Then Mercedes began to dominate. With every title, his value rose. By the mid-2010s, Lewis Hamilton’s salary reached the very top of the F1 market.
Between 2018 and 2020, many outlets reported his total annual earnings, including bonuses, at 60 to 70 million dollars. In those years, he stacked up wins, world titles and sponsor deals, so his wage reflected both his results and his star power.
Even after Mercedes slipped back in 2021, the team still paid a huge base salary for his experience and marketing appeal. That stable, high pay made it easier for Ferrari to justify a massive offer. They did not need to raise his salary from a low level. They only had to edge above Mercedes and add some extra long-term perks.
Lewis Hamilton Salary: Vs other F1 drivers
Fans also like to know how Lewis Hamilton stacks up against rivals. Recent wage tables show that Max Verstappen sits slightly ahead with about 65 million dollars in base salary, while Hamilton follows at 60 million. Behind them, Charles Leclerc earns around 34 million at Ferrari, with Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and George Russell further down the list.
Therefore, Lewis Hamilton’s salary places him in the elite group of modern F1 earners. He earns far more than most of the grid and still sits close to the younger champion who dominates recent results.
Base pay, bonuses and prize money
When we talk about Lewis Hamilton’s salary, we often think of a single number. In reality, his earnings come from several layers.
First comes base salary. Ferrari pays a fixed sum for each season he races for them. That base arrives even if the car struggles. It rewards his experience, his feedback and his media impact.
Then come performance bonuses. Teams usually pay extra when a driver wins races, scores podiums, or hits points targets. Title bonuses sit at the top. In a championship season, bonuses can be huge. Therefore, a strong year can push Lewis Hamilton’s total racing income well above his base salary alone.
Finally, there is prize money. F1 teams share prize funds based on their final position in the constructors’ standings. Each team decides how to share that money with its drivers. Details stay private, yet most observers agree that top drivers get a slice. When Ferrari finishes near the front, that slice gives Lewis Hamilton an extra bump in income.
Endorsements and off-track income
However, Lewis Hamilton’s salary on paper only tells part of the story. He also earns millions away from the track.
Over the years, he has signed big endorsement deals with fashion houses, watch brands, technology partners and lifestyle companies. Forbes-style rich lists suggest that in a recent 12-month window, he made around 20 million dollars from off-track deals alone, on top of his 60 million in racing pay.
In addition, he works on fashion projects, music, and creative collaborations. Some may pay less than big sponsorships. Yet they still add to his annual income and, more importantly, build his long-term brand.
Taxes, cost of living and real take-home pay
F1 salaries often look unreal to regular fans. Still, Lewis Hamilton does not keep every pound he earns.
First, he pays income tax based on his residence and the tax rules in each country where he races or works. Even with careful planning, top drivers can see a large part of their salary go to taxes.
Second, he funds a big team around him. Managers, lawyers, trainers, and security staff all need to be paid. Private jets, homes in several countries and a busy travel schedule add even more cost.
Therefore, while Lewis Hamilton’s salary sounds huge, his net take-home pay sits well below the headline figures.
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Will Lewis Hamilton Salary rise again?
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs for several seasons, with options for more. As long as he remains competitive, Ferrari will want to keep him. If he helps them fight for titles again, he will gain substantial leverage for future negotiations.
On the other hand, age and performance always matter in elite sport. If his pace drops or Ferrari decides to back a younger driver, his base salary could fall in any new deal. Sponsors might also shift their focus more toward rising stars.
Even so, his long-term ambassador roles and career earnings place him in a safe financial position. Lewis Hamilton’s salary has already given him lifetime security. Now, the main question centres on how long he stays near the very top of the F1 money list.
Final Thoughts on Lewis Hamilton Salary
Lewis Hamilton’s salary in 2025 shows how far modern F1 money has come. From a young rookie at McLaren to a superstar at Mercedes and now Ferrari, he has climbed to the very peak of the sport’s wage table.
Yet his pay also reflects more than speed. It rewards his global appeal, his role in pushing diversity, his fashion influence and his ability to draw new fans to Formula 1.
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