Max Verstappen once again claimed the highest-paid Formula 1 driver accolade for 2023, denying Lewis Hamilton the top spot once again.
After his record-breaking season which saw him smash the records for most wins (19), most consecutive wins (10) and most points scored (575), Verstappen took home $70 million, according to Forbes.
The three-time World Champion also broke the record for highest-percentage of victories in a season, after winning 86.4 per cent of the events in 2023.
This broke Alberto Ascari’s record of 75 per cent, which had remained intact since 1952.
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Of the $70 million that Verstappen earned purely from F1 in 2023, $25 million of it was in the form of bonuses, with his salary being $45 million.
Verstappen earnt $15 million more than Hamilton, who didn’t receive a performance bonus from Mercedes after failing to win a single race and after falling incredibly short of the title.
Hamilton was the top Mercedes driver in 2023 after finishing five places and 59 points ahead of George Russell, although he was still 341 points short of Verstappen.
The seven-time World Champion came closest to ending his winless streak dating back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the United States Grand Prix, where he finished right on the gearbox of the Red Bull driver.
Even if Hamilton had overtaken Verstappen for victory at the Circuit of the Americas, he would’ve lost it as he was disqualified after the race.
Hamilton took home $55 million in 2023 based purely on his salary.
The third highest-paid driver was two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, who earned $34 million in his first season for Aston Martin.
$10 million of this figure was bonuses, granted to Alonso for claiming eight podiums in the recently completed season.
Sergio Perez was the fourth highest-paid driver after earning $26 million in 2023, with him having received more in bonuses than his actual salary is worth.
The Mexican driver is on $10 million according to Forbes, $6 million less than the $16 million he received in bonuses.
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Charles Leclerc completes the top five highest-paid drivers in 2023, after being paid $19 million by Ferrari.
Of his 2023 F1 earnings, just $5 million of it is bonuses.
Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Pierre Gasly and Oscar Piastri round-off the top-10.