Max Verstappen Tops Forbes' List of Highest-Paid F1 Drivers for 2023 at $70M

Max Verstappen dominated the Formula One circuit to an unprecedented degree in 2023, which allowed the Red Bull Racing star to remain the highest-paid driver in the world.

According to Forbes' Brett Knight, Verstappen earned $45 million in salary and $25 million in bonuses for 2023. That put him well ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who collected $55 million total, in second place, and his payout was more than double Fernando Alonso ($34 million) in third place.

Knight noted Formula One drivers are somewhat atypical in that they don't make a lot of money through endorsements.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, for example, was the highest-paid NBA player this year, and his off-court earnings ($70 million) far surpassed what he earned on the court ($47.6 million), per Knight.

Verstappen's overall haul illustrates how F1's biggest stars nonetheless have little trouble raking in the cash.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a campaign for the record books, one that might not be replicated for a long time. He won 19 races and earned 575 points, both of which were the most ever in a single season.

Verstappen's performance on the track had an accompanying effect on his earnings. He made $60 million in 2022, $5 million more than Hamilton.

In 2022, Red Bull signed Verstappen to a five-year extension that's reportedly worth $55 million annually. Considering he has won two more Formula One titles since penning the deal, his team might be getting a bit of a bargain now.