George Russell earns mega salary: This is how much Mercedes pays per year

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Mercedes driver George Russell is one of the highest-paid Formula 1 drivers following his contract extension . As reported by the Independent , Russell is set to earn around €35 ​​million per year with the Silver Arrows.

Although Russell is currently only officially confirmed for 2026, insiders expect a multi-year contract extension that will cover at least 2027 – and possibly beyond.

This should give Russell medium-term planning security, similar to other top Formula 1 drivers such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Lewis Hamilton. (See the current contract terms of all Formula 1 drivers here!)

Who earns more than Russell

Compared to some of his colleagues, Russell will earn exceptionally well in the future: according to estimates, only Verstappen at Red Bull and Hamilton at Ferrari will receive a higher base salary than Russell at Mercedes.

In the Formula 1 context, base salary refers to the salary excluding any bonus payments that accrue over the course of the season and based on results. Personal sponsorship income, for example, is also not included.

Verstappen tops the Formula 1 salary list with a reported base salary of €55 to €65 million per year. Hamilton, as a Ferrari driver, earns an estimated €50 million, while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc earns around €30 million.

Two wins so far: Russell wants to build on 2025 in 2026

And Russell still has a lot planned in Formula 1. He's optimistic about the upcoming season: "I want to build on my strongest year so far in 2025 in 2026. We're all incredibly focused on that."

Russell added that he was "really proud" to celebrate his tenth anniversary as a Mercedes driver in 2026. "We've had a long and successful collaboration so far. Now I can't wait to see what lies ahead."

After two victories so far this season in Canada and Singapore, Russell currently sits fourth in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship , just 36 points behind defending world champion Verstappen in third place. Russell himself only has a theoretical chance of winning the title, while his team Mercedes can still finish second in the constructors' championship over the remainder of the season.