F1 prize money: Breaking down how much Formula 1 winners take home

F1 prize money: Breaking down how much Formula 1 winners take home

Kevin Omuya
updated at July 11, 2023 at 9:37 PM

F1, also known as Formula 1, is a motorsport that is considered the highest level of car racing and has a widespread following of millions of fans across the globe. Formula One is renowned for its profitable prize money structure, in addition to its exhilarating high-speed racing and state-of-the-art technology. The distribution of F1 prize money is crucial for recognizing and compensating teams and drivers for their outstanding performances throughout the season.

F1 prize money
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-23 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 04, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: David Ramos
Source: Getty Images

Formula 1 is commonly recognised as the highest level of motorsport, characterised by an exciting display of velocity, expertise, and exceptional engineering. It is a sport that entails significant financial investments. Annually, the Formula 1 World Championship entices teams from various parts of the world to vie for the highly sought-after championship title.

Distributing prize money is a crucial aspect of competition behind the scenes. They compete for prestige and a significant financial prize, with budgets reaching millions.

How much is the prize money in Formula 1?

F1 prize money distribution
Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Haas F1 prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 02, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Dan Istitene
Source: Getty Images

Formula One is known for its substantial financial resources, but its revenue distribution model needs to be more widely understood. The estimated revenue of Formula 1 in 2023 is approximately $1.38 billion. This revenue is classified into two categories: the fund, which is allocated to F1 groups, and the remaining half, which is distributed among shareholders.

The distribution of prize money is the responsibility of CVC, the parent company of the Formula 1 group. The revenue generated from a single race varies from $100 million to $140 million and exhibits an annual growth trend. Approximately 23.75% of Formula One's total profit is allocated to teams based on their ranking in the World Constructors' Championship standings. The champions receive roughly $66 million, whereas those who finish in last place are granted $15 million.

F1 prize money distribution

F1 prize money allocation
Lance Stroll (Canada), Aston Martin AMR23 Mercedes Cognizant F1 Team on track during Practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 2, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Sergio Ruiz
Source: Getty Images

The total profit in Formula One is distributed among all participating teams. However, drivers do not receive monetary rewards as they are compensated through fixed salaries provided by the groups they represent or the constructors they work for.

The Formula One ranking, points classification, and revenue share are essential in determining the financial compensation received by constructors such as Mercedes and Ferrari. These metrics consider the performance of notable drivers like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc.

The eighth Concorde Agreement, signed by all teams in 2021, has reduced the disparity between the value awarded to the top and bottom teams for their performance. The group is entitled to a 14% share of the overall prize pool, while the group in the last place is awarded a 6% share. Previously, the complete unit was allotted 20% of the lower section and was granted a mere 4% share.

The present agreement is subject to a lock-in period until January 2025. The value for the 2023 F1 season is $2.2 billion, distributed among the teams based on their final standings from the previous year.

Championship F1 prize money

Championship f1 prize money
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 04, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Mark Thompson
Source: Getty Images

How much prize money is distributed to F1 teams each year? The FIA distributes a prize pot of over $900 million to teams competing in the F1 World Championship each year. The funds are generated through diverse channels, including the groups' payments for race fees and television rights.

Ferrari will earn the largest share of Formula 1 revenue. The revenue share model employed by F1 is atypical, and the available funds are analysed. The projected revenue for F1 in 2023 is $1.38 billion, which will be distributed among the groups and other shareholders. The monetary value in question is of significant magnitude. The competition is among the top-grossing sporting events globally.

F1 prize money allocation

F1 prize money distribution
Fernando Alonso of Spain and the Aston Martin F1 Team prepare to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 02, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Dan Istitene
Source: Getty Images

The allocation of prize money is contingent upon various criteria, including a team's performance in the Constructors' Championship, the aggregate points earned by a team's drivers, and the number of pole positions and fastest laps attained by the collective. The Constructors' Championship awards the highest prize money to the team that finishes first, while the team that finishes last receives the lowest prize money.

In the 2020 season, Mercedes, the Constructors' champion, generated a revenue of $135 million. On the other hand, Racing Point (currently known as Aston Martin) earned $60 million, which is slightly more than half of Mercedes' revenue.

Where does F1 prize money come from?

While the money earned through prize money can be significant for F1 teams, it is essential to remember that this is just one source of income for these teams. Many groups also earn money through sponsorship deals and other agreements, and the overall financial success of a team is determined by the total amount of money they can bring in.

What is the prize money for an F1 race?

A significant part of the money, thought to be around 23.75 per cent of F1′s overall profit, is awarded based on teams' placement in the WCC standings. This means the champions are awarded around $66m, while those who finish in last place take home $15m.

F1 prize money per race

How much is the prize money for F1 2023? Formula One teams earn hundreds of millions of dollars for finishing at the top, and this year there is more money in the game than ever. According to Statista and The Sporting News data, F1's total value for 2023 is worth a shocking $2.2 bln, more than in any other sport.

How does F1 prize money work?

How much prize money for F1
Sergio Perez, Red Bull/Honda RBPT 78, during the Formula 1 AWS Spanish Grand Prix qualifying at the Barcelona Catalunya Circuit, in Montmelo (Barcelona), on 3rd June 2023. Photo: Joan Valls
Source: Getty Images

In the current scenario, the highest-ranking team receives 14% of the overall prize pool, while the lowest-ranking team receives 6%. The team was allotted a 20% share in the past, while the lower segment received a mere 4%. The agreement has been contractually secured until January 2025.

How does prize money compare to other sources of income for F1 teams?

While the prize money is a significant source of income for F1 teams, it is essential to remember that this is just one source of income for these teams. Many teams earn through sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and other agreements.

The world of F1 prize money is a complex and dynamic system that plays a crucial role in the sport's competitive landscape. With millions of dollars at stake, teams and drivers are driven to push the limits of performance, striving for success on the track and financial reward off it. As the sport continues to evolve, so will the prize money structure, adapting to the ever-changing landscape of Formula 1.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.
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