Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen make the world's athletes' rich list
Champions on the track and in the wallet: according to Forbes, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen make the list of the world’s highest-paid sports stars
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Kym Illman
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen rank among the absolute global elite in terms of sports earnings in 2025.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton edged out four-time champ Verstappen on the annual ranking of the world’s highest-paid athletes by the American business magazine Forbes. According to the magazine, Hamilton sat in equal 22nd place with Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez, earning a total of $80million over the past 12 months.
Verstappen was 24th, just ahead of footballer and part-time diver Neymar Jr, raking in $78million. Most of this amount – an estimated $72million – came from his salary and bonuses with Red Bull. The remaining $6million dollars derived from commercial deals, including personal sponsorships and merchandise.
This is where Hamilton had him beaten: though Lewis earned less from on-track activities last year – $60million – his off-track commercial activities including investments and endorsements was greater.
Predictably, perhaps, the Forbes list is dominated by exponents of ball games and the likes. For the third year in a row, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo topped the chart with a total income of $275million.
Rivals will have to work much harder to overtake the Portuguese star’s earning power: basketball player Stephen Curry, in second place, earned $156million. Boxer Tyson Fury completed the top three with a modest $146million.
Placing at the bottom of the list and a relative pauper on earnings of $53.6million was New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson. This, according to Forbes, would have placed him sixth overall eight years ago since sports personality earnings are following an ever-upward trajectory.
“Landing a spot on the exclusive list is harder than ever,” it said.
Photos from Emilia Romagna GP - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Thursday
Share Or Save This Story
What next for Honda now its engine is confirmed as F1's weakest?
What were the chances of Hamilton winning in Barcelona without the virtual safety car?
LIVE: F1 Barcelona Grand Prix updates - Lewis Hamilton on course for first Ferrari win as Kimi Antonelli retires
How Ferrari built the perfect trap to beat Mercedes at the Barcelona GP
Lewis Hamilton shares defiant message after landmark Ferrari F1 win
Can Lewis Hamilton now fight for the F1 world title with Ferrari? Our writers have their say
Winners and losers from a somewhat predictable NASCAR Cup race at Pocono
Revised gravel tyre set for WRC debut in Greece
#12 Cadillac admits Le Mans win was unlikely but rues costly FCY
How GM is perfecting their sim tools for the unknowns of San Diego, Chicagoland
What next for Honda now its engine is confirmed as F1's weakest?
What were the chances of Hamilton winning in Barcelona without the virtual safety car?
Can Lewis Hamilton now fight for the F1 world title with Ferrari? Our writers have their say
What does Kimi Antonelli still need to improve to become F1 world champion?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments