After three months with no races, Formula One returns with a bang this Sunday.The first grand prix of the season will take place in Melbourne, Australia, with the usual suspects eyeing the prize.Lando Norris is aiming to make it two titles on the trot, having spectacularly secured glory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix back in December.But Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, will be out for revenge after narrowly missing out on that occasion.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayLewis Hamilton enters the new campaign looking to silence his critics after a difficult first season at Ferrari.And Oscar Piastri, who finished third last season, has enough about him to compete at the very top.But who is the best-paid driver? GB News now takes you through the top 10, what they take home and what makes them, in the eyes of their teams at least, worth the money.1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)The reigning benchmark of the grid, Verstappen, continues to command the highest total package in the sport at an estimated 55million.His long-term commitment to Red Bull Racing, which currently runs through 2028, ensures he remains the best-rewarded athlete in F1 history.While his base retainer is a staggering 47m, the Dutchman's contract is heavily bolstered by performance-related incentives, estimated at roughly 8m for 2026, reflecting his consistent ability to deliver victories and championships for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Mikel Arteta sets record straight on his 'black eye' after gritty Arsenal win over ChelseaLeeds United's potential punishments after fans booed Ramadan break during Premier League match with Man CitySky Sports forced to apologise after football fan's actions during live interview2) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)Now firmly established in his tenure with Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton takes the second spot with estimated earnings of 51m.Unlike his rivals, Hamiltons deal is reportedly structured around a massive flat base salary of 50m, making him the highest-guaranteed earner before any bonuses are considered.His move to Maranello has been a commercial masterstroke for both parties; beyond his driving duties, the seven-time champion's contract is said to involve significant investment into his charitable foundations and long-term brand legacy.3) Lando NorrisNorris has rocketed into the upper echelon of F1's earners following his 2025 World Championship triumph.His 2026 package is estimated at 41m, though its structure differs sharply from the veterans above him.Norris earns a relatively modest base of 13m, but his championship-winning form has triggered a phenomenal 28m in performance bonuses.Having signed a long-term extension that keeps him at Woking until at least 2027, Norris is now the undisputed cornerstone of McLaren's resurgence.4) Oscar PiastriThe meteoric rise of Oscar Piastri is reflected in his 27m estimated earnings for the 2026 season.Mirroring his teammates incentive-heavy structure, Piastri receives a 7m base salary, which is more than tripled by an estimated 20m in bonuses following McLaren's recent Constructors' Championship success.His rapid development into a race winner has prompted McLaren to secure his services with a bumper new contract that reportedly rivals the upper tier of the grid, ensuring the team retains the most expensive, and productive, young duo in the paddock.Sign up for our FREE Sports newsletter here5) Charles LeclercRounding out the top five is Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with a reported flat salary of 21m.While his total figure sits below his teammate Hamilton, Leclercs contract is notable for its stability, consisting entirely of a guaranteed base with no reported performance bonuses for the 2026 cycle.Having been a staple of the Ferrari family since 2019, Leclerc's current multi-year agreement reportedly includes "step-up" clauses that will see his earnings continue to climb toward the 40m mark as he approaches the end of the decade.Who else makes the top 10?6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): 19m.7. George Russell (Mercedes): 18m.8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): 9m.9. Carlos Sainz (Williams): 9m10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 9mOur Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The US says six of its F-15 jets were "mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses", with all crew in a stable condition.

A routine patrol in the Ionian Sea led Italian authorities to a remarkable discovery: a late Roman merchant shipwreck still carrying its cargo of amphorae.In a translated statement provided to Fox News Digital, the Guardia di Finanza said the ship was found off the coast of Apulia, the "heel" of Italy.The Guardia di Finanza, Italy's financial police force, said the ship was discovered in June 2025, though officials kept the find confidential until now.ANCIENT LOST CITY DISCOVERED WITH DRONES NEAR FAMED TOURIST ROUTE: SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE"The unexpected discovery occurred during routine maritime patrol operations conducted by the Guardia di Finanza using the most advanced onboard equipment, which detected an anomaly on the seabed," the February statement read.The merchant vessel dates to the late Imperial era, roughly 284 A.D. through 641 A.D., a period that includes the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D.The ship's amphorae were designed to transport garum, a fermented fish sauce widely used as a condiment in ancient Rome, according to local outlet Giornale d'Italia.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe location of the ship will remain strictly confidential, officials said, to "prevent looting and preserve the valuable information contained within the archaeological deposit.""Since the moment of discovery, the area has been under constant monitoring by the Naval Operations Section of the Guardia di Finanza in Gallipoli," the statement noted.Authorities hope to recover more cargo from the ship.TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZItalian officials are currently surveying and documenting the wreck, using what the Guardia di Finanza described as "the most advanced investigative methodologies."Fox News Digital reached out to the Guardia di Finanza for additional information.The discovery is the latest in a string of ancient shipwreck finds shedding new light on Mediterranean history.Turkish divers located a 2,000-year-old shipwreck last year, yielding hundreds of well-preserved ceramics.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIESIn 2024, ancient anchors and tools were found near a 2,500-year-old shipwreck off the coast of Sicily.

In der 2. Bundesliga siegt Dynamo Dresden berraschend gegen Aufstiegskandidat Darmstadt. Wendepunkt der Partie war ein umstrittener Platzverweis gegen die Gste.[mehr]

The Self-service Retail Fuel Dispenser Market was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.8 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.8%.  The latest report, titled ‘Global Self-service Retail Fuel Dispenser Market,’ comprises a profound analysis of the fundamental parameters contributing to the global Self-service Retail Fuel Dispenser market scenario....

Furieux contre larbitrage de Jrme Brisard lors dOM-OL (3-2) dimanche soir, le directeur technique du club lyonnais Matthieu Louis-Jean a reu un carton rouge aprs le coup de sifflet final.

Australian Grand Prix boss Travis Auld is confident all 22 Formula 1 drivers and their teams will be in Melbourne by Wednesday for the first race of the season, despite at least one team being forced to change travel plans.

Sourav Ganguly lauded Sanju Samson's unbeaten 97 as 'outstanding,' propelling India into the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. Samson's brilliant chase secured a crucial win against the West Indies, setting up a clash with England. Ganguly emphasized Samson's value and consistent role in India's white-ball plans.

Stuck on what to say? Discover 50+ unique Father's Day 2026 wishes for your dad, husband, or grandpa. Send a personalized digital card on Sunday, June 21st!