Domenicali's $10.5M payout tops F1 executive compensation

Stefano Domenicali earned £7.999 million ($10.5 million) in the 2025 financial year, making him the highest-paid director at Formula One Management Limited. The payout, from FOM's latest Companies House filing, accounts for more than half of the £13.3 million paid to all board members.

Why it matters:

Domenicali, F1's President and CEO since January 2021, took the role after a Ferrari career that included seven years as team principal. His compensation—down from £8.765 million in 2024—reflects the sport's surging commercial value under Liberty Media and the difficulty of managing F1's complex politics and rapid expansion.

The details:

• The £7.999 million package includes £1.962 million from long-term incentive plans and exercised share options, so it isn't a baseline salary.
• Operational revenue rose 9.2% to £429.6 million, but logistical costs—freight, travel, TV production, technical support—grew 8% (£15 million) to £207.1 million, offsetting much of the gain.
• Personnel costs increased as FOM expanded its workforce from 726 to 803 employees.
• Pre-tax profit inched up from £19.9 million to £20 million.

The big picture:

Event cancellations are FOM's biggest financial vulnerability, since race hosting fees generate most revenue. The 2025 season ran uninterrupted, but the next reporting cycle will capture schedule changes, including pending decisions on the 2026 Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.

What's next:

Domenicali's payout is reasonable by modern executive standards in global sports, given F1's unprecedented commercial gains and rising valuation. With 2026 bringing new regulations and a reshaped calendar, his leadership faces a defining test.