F1 Shock: Lando Norris and Max Verstappen Face Skyrocketing Superlicence Fees for 2026!
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, success comes with a staggering price tag that has left even the best drivers reeling. As the dust settles on the exhilarating 2025 season, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are bracing themselves for a jaw-dropping financial hit when they return to the track in 2026. Both racing stars will be forced to fork out over a million euros just to secure their spot in the championship, all thanks to the exorbitant superlicence fees mandated by the FIA.
The superlicence, a crucial requirement for any driver wishing to participate in Formula 1, carries a base annual fee of €11,842. However, this is just the starting line! Each driver also faces an additional charge of €2,392 for every point earned in the previous season, making it a costly affair for those who excel.
After clinching his first world title in a nail-biting finish against Verstappen in 2025, Norris’s superlicence cost will skyrocket to an eye-watering €1,023,658. Verstappen, who narrowly lost to Norris by a mere two points, will also see his financial burden swell to €1,019,074. But they aren’t alone in this fiscal frenzy; Oscar Piastri, who led the championship for a significant part of the season only to finish 13 points behind his teammate, will also bear a hefty bill—hovering around €992,762.
While these astronomical costs are officially billed to the drivers, it’s customary for their teams to cover the expenses. This means that McLaren will have to cough up over €2 million just to keep both Norris and Piastri in the race for 2026—an amount that, given the salaries at stake, is unlikely to raise any red flags for the British team.
In stark contrast, drivers who failed to score points in 2025, like Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, will only be liable for the basic fee. The FIA stands to rake in an astounding total of approximately €7.1 million from superlicences in 2026—a clear indication of how lucrative the sport has become.
Here’s a quick rundown of what the top drivers will be paying for their superlicences in 2026:
– Lando Norris (McLaren): 423 points – €1,023,658 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 421 points – €1,019,074 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 410 points – €992,762 – George Russell (Mercedes): 319 points – €775,390 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 242 points – €590,906 – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 156 points – €384,994 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 150 points – €370,642 – Alex Albon (Williams): 73 points – €186,458 – Carlos Sainz (Williams): 64 points – €164,930 – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): 56 points – €145,794 – Nico Hülkenberg (Audi): 51 points – €133,834 – Isack Hadjar (Red Bull): 51 points – €133,834 – Oliver Bearman (Haas): 41 points – €109,914 – Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls): 38 points – €102,738 – Esteban Ocon (Haas): 38 points – €102,738 – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): 33 points – €90,778 – Yuki Tsunoda (RB Reserve): 33 points – €90,778 – Pierre Gasly (Alpine): 22 points – €64,466 – Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi): 19 points – €57,290 – Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac): No points – €11,842 – Sergio Pérez (Cadillac): No points – €11,842 – Franco Colapinto (Alpine): No points – €11,842 – Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls): No points – €11,842
As the countdown to the 2026 season begins, one thing is clear: the financial stakes have never been higher in Formula 1. With millions on the line, the pressure is on for these elite athletes to deliver not just on the track, but also in their wallets. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the costs of competition prove too steep? Only time will tell!








