The world of Formula 1 racing is a highly competitive arena, and the top drivers can earn incredible sums of money. The exact figures are kept private, but they can surpass millions of dollars per season. It’s no surprise that the highest paid drivers are those who regularly compete at the top level and have been successful in the sport. Here we take a look at the top 10 highest paid Formula 1 drivers, ranked by their estimated annual salary.
1. Sebastian Vettel: Sebastian Vettel is one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, and his estimated annual salary reflects this. He is believed to be the highest paid driver in the sport, earning an estimated $50 million per season. Vettel has won four world championships and is currently driving for Ferrari.
2. Lewis Hamilton: The reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton is the second highest paid driver in the sport. He is estimated to be earning around $45 million per season from his Mercedes team. The Briton has won five world championships and is one of the most victorious drivers in Formula 1 history.
3. Fernando Alonso: The Spanish driver is believed to be earning around $40 million each season from his team, McLaren. Alonso has won two world championships and is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid.
4. Kimi Raikkonen: The Finn is one of the oldest drivers on the grid and has been racing in Formula 1 since 2001. He is believed to be earning around $30 million per season from his team, Ferrari.
5. Daniel Ricciardo: The Australian driver is estimated to be earning around $25 million per season from his team, Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo has won seven Formula 1 races and is one of the most successful drivers in recent years.
6. Nico Rosberg: The German driver is estimated to be earning around $20 million from his team, Mercedes. Rosberg won the 2016 world championship and is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid.
7. Jenson Button: The British driver is believed to be earning around $15 million from his team, McLaren. Button has won one world championship and is one of the most experienced drivers in the sport.
8. Felipe Massa: The Brazilian is believed to be earning around $14 million from his team, Williams. Massa has won 11 Formula 1 races and is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid.
9. Max Verstappen: The Dutch driver is estimated to be earning around $12 million from his team, Red Bull Racing. Verstappen has won six Formula 1 races and is one of the considerable successful drivers in recent years.
10. Valtteri Bottas: The Finnish driver is estimated to be earning around $10 million from his team, Mercedes. Bottas has won four Formula 1 races and is one of the considerable successful drivers in recent years.
The above list of the top 10 highest paid Formula 1 drivers is based on estimated salaries. While the exact figures may vary, it’s clear that these drivers are some of the most successful and well-paid athletes in the world. As the sport continues to rise in popularity, it’s likely that the salaries of these drivers will continue to rise.
