<p>Drive to survive? More like drive to make millions! These F1 drivers aren’t just surviving financially, they’re thriving!</p> <p>That won’t surprise many people, as Formula 1 drivers are among the highest paid athletes in the world.</p> <p>From bumper base salaries to epic endorsements, these guys make millions every year.</p> <p>Yep, there is some serious money moving through F1 in 2024, but just how much do the highest paid F1 drivers get paid? Let’s find out – start your engines!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>10. Daniel Ricciardo (VCARB) - $7 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kicking off the list of the Top 10 Highest Paid F1 Drivers in 2024 is our own Daniel Ricciardo.</p> <p>The loveable Aussie larrikin returned to the starting grid full-time this year, and while his annual salary of $7 million seems like a lot to us mere mortals, it’s a far cry from the cheques he was cashing in his F1 heyday.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>9. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) - $10 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Pulling in just ahead of Danny boy, is Finland local, Valtteri Bottas. He may be Finnish but he’s far from finished and as a member of the Sauber team he takes home 10 big ones every year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>8. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – $12 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>When you drive for a manufacturer as iconic as Ferrari, you’re always going to find yourself in the Top 10 Highest Paid F1 Drivers of 2024.</p> <p>That is the case here for Spaniard Carlos Sainz. The 29-year-old won the Australian Grand Prix this year and if he keeps notching wins like that, his salary is only going to keep climbing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>7. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing) – $14 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first, but certainly not the last Red Bull driver to appear on this list, Sergio Perez, or the man affectionately known as “Checo” is next on the F1 rich list.</p> <p>He may have to play second-fiddle to Max Verstappen, but Red Bull make sure he is well compensated for his time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - $18 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A true veteran of Formula 1, 43-year-old Spainard Fernando Alonso is still bringing home the bacon after well over two decades in the world of motor sports.</p> <p>His first Grand Prix was all the way back in 2001 for Minardi. He now drives for Aston Martin and between now and then has built quite the racing resume.</p> <p>Alonso has two F1 Championships, 32 wins and over 100 podium finishes. He also won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, twice! With a CV like that, it should come as little surprise that Alonso is still worth paying a cool $18 million a year in 2024.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>5. George Russell (Mercedes) - $18 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the younger drivers on this list, 26-year-old Brit George Russell is the fifth highest paid F1 driver currently doing the rounds.</p> <p>With teammate Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari for 2025 and beyond, Russell will become Mercedes leading man and his already bumper salary of $18 million is only set to increase.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – $20 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the most loved drivers currently on the circuit and one of the highest paid is young gun Landon Norris.</p> <p>With an estimated annual income of $20 million, Loveable Lando nearly gets a million dollars for every year he’s been alive.</p> <p>That’s right, the McLaren man is still only 24 and after finally winning his first ever Grand Prix this year, you’d figure he has only just started scratching the surface in terms of potential revenue.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - $34 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No stranger to podium finishes, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is the third highest paid F1 driver of 2024.</p> <p>With 36 podiums to his name as well as six Grand Prix wins, Leclerc is no slouch behind the wheel.</p> <p>Ferrari are aware of the talent they have on their hands and as a result make sure the 26-year-old is well compensated.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - $45 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No matter what your current form is like, if you were the face of F1 for over a decade, you’re going to be making bank.</p> <p>Regardless of if you’re an F1 fan or not, you will know who Lewis Hamilton is. Seven Formula 1 Championships, 105 wins and 201 podium finishes all add up to an annual income of $45 million.</p> <p>Unfortunately, here on the F1 rich list, Hamilton has to do something he is not usually accustomed to, coming second.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>1.&nbsp;Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) - $55 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The undisputed current king of motor sport and the highest paid F1 driver of 2024 is of course Max Verstappen.</p> <p>Number one here and number one more often than not on the track, Red Bull’s main man makes bank.</p> <p>Max Verstappen’s salary is currently at $55 million a year and after winning the last three F1 Drivers Championships in a row it’s not hard to see why.</p> <p>The Dutchman already holds numerous Formula 1 records such as: most wins in a season, most podium finishes in a season and is the youngest person ever to win a Grand Prix.&nbsp;</p>