Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 world championship could transform his financial prospects, taking him far beyond the salary currently associated with his rookie contract at Mercedes. His basic pay is estimated at between €2 million and €3 million per season, but bonuses and a new agreement are expected to push that figure considerably higher.
Formula 1 does not directly award drivers cash prizes for individual victories or for winning the world championship. Instead, performance-related bonuses are paid by the teams. Wins, pole positions and other contractual targets can therefore add substantially to a driver’s earnings. Estimates suggest Antonelli could receive as much as $12 million to $13 million from results-related bonuses. Bild estimates that his 2026 salary, including bonuses, will be just under €10 million, while F1Salaries puts the figure at about €11 million.
Antonelli may also receive a share of Mercedes’ Formula 1 revenue linked to its position in the constructors’ championship. The team is also close to winning that title, according to the available estimates.
The Italian driver’s current Mercedes contract was signed in 2025 and runs through 2027. It was agreed when Antonelli was still an AMG academy prospect making his debut in Formula 1. Keeping him on rookie-level pay next season appears unlikely: his current salary reportedly ranks 17th among the championship’s 22 drivers. Market reports indicate that a new deal could raise his fixed salary above €30 million per season, bringing it closer to that of teammate George Russell.
His commercial value is also expected to grow after his title success in Mexico. F1Salaries estimates his current potential sponsorship income at around $1.5 million. Antonelli’s partnerships include Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen, Monster Energy, Alpinestars and AKM Motorsport. According to research institute StageUp, the combined impact of the championship and his international popularity could raise his annual income from sponsorships, events and licensing to between €9 million and €18 million by 2028.
Sources: ANSA Sport.