Formula One and NASCAR are two of the world’s most popular motorsport series, both renowned for their world-class drivers. While F1 boasts a global following with races held across the world, NASCAR primarily captivates audiences within the United States.
Both series feature some of the most revered drivers in the sport, yet there remains a significant disparity in their salaries. Below is a list of the top 5 highest-paid drivers in both series and the difference between their incomes:
#1 F1’s Max Verstappen and NASCAR’s Kyle Busch
Since his debut in 2015 and subsequent move to Red Bull in 2016, Max Verstappen, the three-time world champion, has ascended to new heights. Verstappen’s growth has also been reflected in his salary, as he is now the highest-paid driver in F1, with a base salary of $55 million and bonuses exceeding $15 million annually.
NASCAR’s two-time world champion Kyle Busch is one of the most recognizable and revered drivers, having won two Cup Series in 2015 and 2019. The 39-year-old is considered to be one of the greatest NASCAR drivers and boasts a salary close to $17 million every year. Although he is the highest-paid driver in the series, his earnings still fall significantly short of Max Verstappen’s, with a gap of around $53 million.
#2 Lewis Hamilton and Denny Hamlin
Lewis Hamilton and Denny Hamlin are two of the most experienced drivers in their respective series. Hamilton, aged 39, debuted in 2007, while Hamlin, at 43, has been racing since 2004.
However, there’s a substantial disparity in their earnings. The seven-time F1 world champion, Hamilton, rakes in approximately $45 million annually, while Hamlin, a NASCAR veteran without a Cup Series title, earns around $10.4 million per year. This equates to a nearly $35 million difference in their annual salaries
#3 Charles Leclerc and Kevin Harvick
Charles Leclerc and Kevin Harvick (Images: All via Getty)
While Kevin Harvick certainly has an advantage in terms of experience and age over Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver hold a significant advantage in terms of salary.
The Ferrari golden boy signed a new contract with the Italian team that would see him race with them until 2029 and earn a minimum of $34 million, while Harvick boasts earnings of around $11 million annually, trailing the Monagasque driver by $24 million.
#4 Lando Norris and Martin Truex Jr.
Lando Norris and Martin Truex Jr. (Images: All via Getty)
Lando Norris and Martin Truex Jr. are two of the most affable drivers in F1 and NASCAR, but there is a significant gap in terms of salary between the two.
Despite earning an estimated $10.4 million a year, the 24-year-old driver of Joe Gibbs Racing still lags behind the McLaren driver by approximately $10 million, as the latter receives $20 million from the Woking-based team.
#5 Fernando Alonso and Brad Keselowski
Fernando Alonso and Brad Keselowski (Images: All via Getty)
In addition to being nearly identical in age (Alonso is 43 and Keselowski is 40), both drivers are currently ranked P9 in their respective F1 and NASCAR driver’s standings, at the time of writing.
The veteran Aston Martin driver earns approximately $18 million from his new contract with the team, while Keselowski, who drives for his co-owned team, RFK Racing, receives $9.4 million annually, $8.6 million less than Fernando Alonso’s salary.