Methodology: How We Label Every Figure

F1 money is never officially published, so the label on a number matters as much as the number. Every figure on this site carries one of four labels, modelled on Capology's football database and extended.

The four labels

• Verified — confirmed by an official source: a team announcement, sponsor release or company filing.
• Reported — published by a named journalist or outlet; we link the source on the page.
• Estimated — our own figure, built from comparable deals, seniority and market data. Shown as a range when the evidence is thin.
• Calculated — derived arithmetically from other figures: pay per month, per race, per point, career totals.

Sources

• RacingNews365 — Annual paddock salary survey — the grid's reference list, republished by NBC and Spotrac
• Forbes — Highest-paid drivers list (salary + bonus split)
• Sportico — Team valuations and earnings reporting
• Companies House (UK) — Filed team accounts — the only verified money in F1
• Jolpica / Ergast API — Official championship points, wins and standings
• Sunday Times Rich List — Net-worth valuations
• ECB — Daily reference exchange rates

Specific models

Reserve pay is modelled from the $1m value of an entry-level race seat: former Grand Prix drivers $400k–$800k, practice/testing drivers $200k–$400k, drivers based mainly in other series $100k–$200k, and a race call-up at roughly $42k per Grand Prix. Staff ranges come from named reporting, filed team accounts and motorsport salary surveys. Net worth starts from published valuations and is tested against countable salary, bonuses, endorsements and assets. Tickets and tracks use official seller prices with the check date shown. All figures are USD first, converted at ECB reference rates, with the original currency noted where it matters.

Corrections

Figures are re-checked through the season as contracts and reporting change. If you can source a better number, tell us via the contact page — corrections are applied and dated.