Verstappen's 2025 Super Licence fee falls by $206k, Sainz begins new life at Williams, and other big updates

Verstappen's 2025 Super Licence fee falls by $206k

Max Verstappen won his fourth straight F1 World Championship in 2024, but his Super Licence fee for 2025 will be lower. Despite a more competitive season with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren challenging him, Verstappen's nine wins still allow him to save $206,876 compared to last year's $1.28 million fee. The FIA has raised the per-point fee to €2313 ($2443) for 2025, but Verstappen's reduced points tally has led to the saving. Meanwhile, Lando Norris' fee doubled after four wins and 374 points.

Click here to read the full article by Jamie Woodhouse (planetf1.com)

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Sainz begins new life at Williams

Carlos Sainz made his first public appearance as a Williams driver in the Abu Dhabi post-season test, completing seven laps with a best time of 1m26.484s. He wore a plain white race suit and helmet without sponsor logos as he began his preparations for the 2025 season. Sainz, who left Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton, tested the 2025-spec Pirelli tires, while rookie Luke Browning ran the 2024-spec tires. This marks Sainz's fifth F1 team after previous stints with Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari.

Click here to read the full article by Rachit Thukral (motorsport.com)

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Who earned the most in 2024?

Max Verstappen remains Formula 1's highest-paid driver for the third consecutive year, with earnings of $75 million in 2024, including a $60 million salary and $15 million in bonuses. Lewis Hamilton follows in second with $57 million, while Lando Norris surged to third with $35 million, thanks to a major salary increase and substantial performance bonuses. This rise is due to higher revenue in the sport and the fact that driver pay is not part of the cost cap. With F1's growth, salaries could keep increasing, possibly reaching new records in 2025.

Click here to read the full article by Brett Knight (forbes.com)

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Ferrari looks back on time with Sainz

Ferrari has had countless unforgettable moments with Carlos over the last four years. So, they spoke with Carlos, Charles, Fred, and the team to hear some of their favorite moments with him. Leclerc explained that they clicked from the very beginning and got along well despite their differences. Vasseur applauded his consistency and professionalism, among many other compliments.

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What's next for Checo?

Sergio Perez's Red Bull F1 career is over — it's just a matter of when it becomes official. Perez finally admitted he's discussing his future with Red Bull. His exit is certain, with negotiations on compensation for ending his contract early. Meanwhile, Red Bull is finalizing who will replace him alongside Verstappen.