Charles Leclerc has been ranked the ninth most marketable athlete in the world for 2026, making the Ferrari driver the highest-placed Formula 1 star in SportsPro’s annual rankings. The Monegasque finished well ahead of Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who placed 22nd, while Max Verstappen was 48th and Andrea Kimi Antonelli ranked 126th.
The results highlight Charles Leclerc’s growing commercial appeal beyond the Formula 1 paddock. With a marketability score of 71.12 out of 100, the Ferrari driver entered the global top 10 alongside leading figures from tennis, football and basketball, reinforcing his position as one of the most attractive athletes to sponsors worldwide.
SportsPro’s 2026 most marketable athletes ranking
Since 2010, SportsPro has published an annual ranking of the athletes considered most attractive to sponsors and commercial partners worldwide. The study examines how sports personalities influence consumer purchasing habits and their affinity with particular brands.
The assessment considers several factors, including an athlete’s personality, talent, charisma and reputation, alongside the characteristics of their target market and the global relevance of their sport. These elements help determine the commercial opportunities associated with each individual.
In the 2026 edition, Charles Leclerc secured ninth place overall, becoming the only Formula 1 driver inside the world’s top 10. Tennis player Jannik Sinner was the highest-ranked Italian athlete, finishing 35th.
Top 10 most marketable athletes in the world in 2026
| Position | Athlete | Sport | Marketability score (/100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Women’s tennis | 80.95 |
| 2 | Eileen Gu | Freestyle skiing | 76.94 |
| 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Men’s basketball | 74.46 |
| 4 | Erling Haaland | Men’s football | 74.18 |
| 5 | Carlos Alcaraz | Men’s tennis | 73.17 |
| 6 | Alysa Liu | Women’s figure skating | 73.04 |
| 7 | Victor Wembanyama | Men’s basketball | 71.68 |
| 8 | Alexander Zverev | Men’s tennis | 71.21 |
| 9 | Charles Leclerc | Formula 1 | 71.12 |
| 10 | AJ Dybantsa | Men’s basketball | 70.80 |
Charles Leclerc leads F1 ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
For another consecutive year, Charles Leclerc has emerged as Formula 1’s most attractive driver to sponsors. According to BlackBook Motorsport, the Ferrari driver earned an estimated $50 million in 2025 through his salary, bonuses and commercial agreements with brands including Richard Mille, VistaJet, APM Monaco, Eight Sleep, Chivas Regal and L’Oréal.
His commercial portfolio has continued to expand, including a global ambassador partnership with L’Oréal Paris and his established relationship with luxury jewellery brand APM Monaco. These collaborations illustrate his presence in industries beyond Formula 1.
The contrast with the rest of the Formula 1 grid is particularly striking. Lewis Hamilton, despite his established international profile and commercial influence, ranked 22nd with a score of 66.63. Max Verstappen followed in 48th place with 60.45 points.
Further down the ranking, George Russell finished 55th, Oscar Piastri 56th and Lando Norris 78th. Pierre Gasly placed 91st, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli was 126th. MotoGP champion Marc Marquez also featured among the motorsport athletes, occupying 88th position.
The study covers the period from July 2025 to June 2026, providing an assessment of athletes’ marketability across that 12-month window. The comparison is particularly interesting for Ferrari, whose two drivers occupy very different positions in the commercial rankings despite both representing one of Formula 1’s most recognisable teams.
Lewis Hamilton’s commercial significance to Ferrari has also been a major subject since the seven-time world champion joined the Italian team, with the marketing impact of Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello attracting considerable attention.
Motorsport drivers in the 2026 marketability ranking
| Overall position | Driver | Championship | Marketability score (/100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Charles Leclerc | Formula 1 | 71.12 |
| 22 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula 1 | 66.63 |
| 48 | Max Verstappen | Formula 1 | 60.45 |
| 55 | George Russell | Formula 1 | 59.30 |
| 56 | Oscar Piastri | Formula 1 | 58.23 |
| 78 | Lando Norris | Formula 1 | 55.86 |
| 88 | Marc Marquez | MotoGP | 54.00 |
| 91 | Pierre Gasly | Formula 1 | 53.55 |
| 126 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Formula 1 | 50.11 |
Why Charles Leclerc ranks among the world’s most marketable athletes
Charles Leclerc’s position among the world’s top 10 reflects the strength of his personal brand and the appeal he holds for major commercial partners. His public image, personal story and established relationships with international companies all contribute to his high standing in the rankings.
Chris Collins, president of the NorthStar platform that collaborated on the study, explained the reasons behind the Ferrari driver’s strong result:
“Leclerc has one of the most established brands of any athlete in the world. He ranks second among the 247 athletes we evaluated in terms of brand equity, built on his image, a compelling personal story and high-profile partners who continue to choose to work with him.”
The assessment underlines Charles Leclerc’s position as a major commercial figure beyond his achievements on the track. While his Formula 1 career remains closely associated with Ferrari, his ninth-place finish demonstrates that his appeal now extends across the wider international sporting and commercial landscape.
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