WRC Driver Salaries Shift Significantly for 2026 Season

WRC, Sportrik Media - Entering the 2026 season, the financial landscape of top World Rally Championship drivers has undergone a notable shift. The retirement and partial withdrawal of several established stars, combined with the rise of a new Rally1 generation, has reshaped salary structures at the top of the sport.

Thierry Neuville Becomes WRC’s Highest-Paid Driver

According to industry estimates, Thierry Neuville currently holds the status of the highest-paid driver in the 2026 World Rally Championship. The lead driver for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team is believed to earn a base salary of approximately USD 2 million per season, equivalent to around IDR 31.4 billion.

Neuville’s contract reflects his position as Hyundai Motorsport’s technical leader and long-term title contender, as well as his role as the team’s most valuable commercial and sporting asset.

Sébastien Ogier Remains the Wealthiest Through Career Accumulation

Despite competing on a part-time basis in 2026 with Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, Sebastien Ogier remains the wealthiest active rally driver overall.

With eight world championships to his name, Ogier has accumulated tens of millions of euros through factory salaries and high-profile personal sponsorship agreements over more than a decade at the top level. While his annual income has decreased due to a reduced programme, his overall net worth still comfortably surpasses that of his contemporaries.

Kalle Rovanpera Exit Ends Record Contract Era

One of the most significant financial developments of early 2026 was Kalle Rovanpera’s decision to leave the World Rally Championship in pursuit of a single-seater racing career.

Prior to his departure, Rovanpera was among the highest-paid drivers at Toyota, with estimated annual earnings of EUR 6 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 101 billion, including performance bonuses. His exit effectively brings an end to the era of record-breaking contracts for young drivers in WRC.

Estimated Salaries of Leading WRC Drivers in 2026

Below is an overview of estimated base salaries for leading Rally1 drivers in 2026, converted to Indonesian rupiah using an approximate exchange rate of IDR 15,700 per USD:

• Thierry Neuville (Hyundai):
  USD 2,000,000+ ≈ IDR 31.4 billion+
• Ott Tanak (variable contract):
  USD 1.5–2 million ≈ IDR 23.6–31.4 billion
• Elfyn Evans (Toyota):
  USD 1 million+ ≈ IDR 15.7 billion+
• Oliver Solberg (Toyota):
  factory Rally1 debut contract, value undisclosed

Note: The figures above represent estimated base salaries only and exclude event win bonuses, which can reach EUR 200,000 per rally or approximately IDR 3.3 billion, as well as championship bonuses.

WRC Commercial Value Continues to Rise

Beyond driver contracts, the commercial value of the World Rally Championship itself continues to increase. The series’ commercial rights are reported to be valued at around USD 550 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 8.6 trillion, underlining the championship’s growing economic strength.

This upward trend is expected to support more competitive driver contracts in the future, particularly as a new generation of Rally1 drivers begins to fill the gap left by the sport’s most decorated champions.