Max Verstappen will have to pay a sum worth €1.2 million to simply be eligible to race in the 2024 season. The Red Bull driver had a season for the ages in 2023, finishing as the World Champion with a record 575 points. He also broke a number of records in the process, and will now have to pay the price of success alongside his team, including Sergio Perez.

Red Bull will have to pay €8.6 million as the fee for winning the Constructors Championship and fielding the World Champion, and Verstappen’s penalty is not included in that amount. A similar penalty will have to be paid by Perez to become eligible for next season as well.

Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Red Bull to pay FIA almost €10m

Red Bull Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Max Verstappen — Via X

Last season, Red Bull had to pay around €7 million for exceeding the spending limit. And in 2023, after winning 21 out of 22 races and factoring in the number of doubles shared between Verstappen and Perez, they will have to pay much more than that amount to the FIA.

Verstappen’s €1.2 million consists of €10,400 for the 19 wins, alongside €2,100 for each of the 575 points he claimed this season. Perez will have to pay €608,900 for his accomplishments this season, and it seems likely that the team will cover for both of their drivers.

However, the amount they will have to pay is more than both Mercedes and Ferrari combined.

The FIA is at daggers with teams over this fee, since no other sport demands such payment from participants. But, it remains a major source of income for them and it seems unlikely that they will do away with it in spite of the frustration from both drivers and teams.