Lewis Hamilton earns £17million less than his rival Credit: Getty

Charles Leclerc is the third-highest earning F1 driver Credit: Getty

Four drivers earn more than £10m a year

Verstappen, 25, is on course to claim his third successive championship and he is now one of the highest-earning sportsmen in the world.

He is paid an eye-watering annual salary of £45m by Red Bull.

Hamilton is the next highest-paid F1 star but comes in quite far behind at £28m-a-year.

Verstappen is paid more than five times that of his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.

Hamilton also earns significantly than his partner, George Russell, who is the eighth on the list of top salaries.

The Brit collects around £6.5m a year from Mercedes but could pick up a more lucrative deal when it comes to renewing after impressing since his 2022 arrival.

Rounding off the top three is Charles Leclerc at £20m-a-year.

Ferrari’s No1 has been linked to Red Bull with both him and Perez out of contract at the end of the year.

Lando Norris takes home a cool £16m Credit: Rex

Carlos Sainz is the fifth-highest earning driver in F1 Credit: Getty

Red Bull are believed to be keen but he could prove to be quite an expensive option, with their other target Lando Norris possibly available for a lower salary.

Norris has an annual wage of £16m, and is one of only four drivers to break the £10m barrier.

Perez and Russell are joined in the next band of drivers to make £5m or more which also includes Carlos Sainz, Valterri Bottas and Esteban Ocon.

Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly fall just short at £4m, while Yuki Tsunoda and Red Bull reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo earn less than £1m, as does Williams’ Logan Sergeant.

Verstappen earns more than five times that of his team-mate Sergio Perez Credit: AFP

Valterri Bottas rounds off the top ten high earners Credit: Getty