In December, Carlos Sainz Jr. made headlines with a savvy financial move: when he transitioned from Ferrari to Williams, he brought one of his biggest sponsors with him, the Spanish banking group Santander. An interesting move from a driver who proves his worth not only on the track but also commercially. Another well-known name in this regard is, of course, Fernando Alonso. But who earned the most? We present to you the top 5 highest-earning Spanish drivers of all time. Let’s go!
5. Alfonso de Portago – $1.5 million
The late Alfonso de Portago, born in Madrid, was a driver from the early days of the Spanish racing world. He made his Formula 1 debut with Ferrari in 1956 and raced in five Grand Prix. His career was abruptly ended by a fatal crash during the Mille Miglia in 1957.
Earnings
Although De Portago’s time in Formula 1 was short, he earned from his contract with Ferrari and prize money from various motorsport events, including endurance races.
Fun fact
In addition to his racing income, a large part of his fortune came from his aristocratic background. As the heir to one of Spain’s wealthiest noble families, he had considerable estates and real estate, which gave him financial independence.
4. Jaime Alguersuari – $5 million
Alguersuari, born in Barcelona, became the youngest F1 driver ever at the age of 19 when he debuted with Toro Rosso in 2009. Despite his potential, he lost his seat at the end of 2011 when Red Bull decided to replace him and teammate Sébastien Buemi with new talents from their junior program.
Earnings
His F1 salaries were relatively modest, but he earned extra as a test driver and through sponsorship deals. Nevertheless, he managed to amass a fortune of $5 million.
Fun fact
After his F1 career, Alguersuari made a surprising career switch: he became a professional DJ and producer under the name Squire.
3. Pedro de la Rosa – $10 million
Born in Barcelona, De la Rosa had a long but modest F1 career. He made his debut in 1999 with Arrows and later drove for Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber, and HRT. He spent most of his years as a test driver, particularly at McLaren, where he played a crucial role in car development.
Earnings
His income primarily came from long-term test and reserve driver contracts. At McLaren (2003-2009), he reportedly earned several million per year, as test drivers played a significant role in car development at the time. Additionally, he raced in 107 Grands Prix and had sponsorship deals with Repsol and Banco Santander.
Fun Fact
De la Rosa’s technical knowledge made him a sought-after F1 analyst. He later became an advisor at Aston Martin, where he works alongside Fernando Alonso.
2. Carlos Sainz Jr. – $50 million
Carlos Sainz Jr., son of rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., made his F1 debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. After stints at Renault and McLaren, he became a Ferrari driver in 2021, where he won his first Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2022.
Earnings
Sainz reportedly earns €10 million per year at Ferrari, excluding bonuses. His total net worth is estimated at $50 million, including ongoing contracts. He also has lucrative sponsorship deals with Estrella Galicia and Banco Santander, among others.
Fun Fact
When Sainz moved from Ferrari to Williams in 2024, he brought Santander as a sponsor, a rare move in F1. While the deal funds the team and does not directly increase his salary, it demonstrates his commercial influence.
1. Fernando Alonso – $458 million
Born in Oviedo, Fernando Alonso is one of the biggest names in Formula 1. He is a two-time world champion with a career spanning over two decades. In 2005 and 2006, he clinched the title with Renault and subsequently drove for McLaren, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
Earnings
Alonso is one of the highest-paid drivers in F1 history. His current salary at Aston Martin is $34 million per year, excluding bonuses. He also has lucrative sponsorship deals with Kimoa and Raw Superdrink, among others.
Fun Fact
Besides F1, Alonso earned millions from endurance racing and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice. He is also involved in esports and owns a karting complex in Spain.
