Most F1 drivers earn millions of dollars each season as they race across the globe to entertain a massive fanbase. For the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, their salaries are in the tens of millions – streets ahead of those at the back of the grid.
At present, seven-time World Champion Hamilton is the highest-paid driver in F1 with an estimated salary of $40 million a year, though Verstappen is now just five million behind after signing a bumper new deal through 2028. With bonuses, the Dutchman's annual earnings could rise up to $50 million.
Compared to the 2020 silly season, which sparked a host of changes, there have only been a handful of driver moves this winter. As such, the fluctuations between last year's and this year's salaries are relatively small.
One of the biggest moves is Valtteri Bottas' switch from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo, where he will earn the same money as in 2021, with George Russell making the step up from Williams to replace him – pocketing five million a season.
1) Lewis Hamilton (2022 salary: $39,233,775)
Lewis Hamilton is an English Formula 1 racer born on 7 January 1985. He is currently racing for Mercedes in formula one. Before Mercedes, he was part of McLaren from 2007 to 2012. In Formula 1 Hamilton won world Championship titles. He has the record for most wins (103) and finishes on the podium 182 times.
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2) Max Verstappen (2022 salary: $24,661,230)
Max Verstappen is a 24-year-old Belgian- Dutch Formula 1 racer born on 30 September 1997. He competes in formula 1 for Red Bull Racing. Max Verstappen is the winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Prix. He signed a contract with Red Bull Racing and he will remain in Red Bull at least up to 2023.
3) Fernando Alonso (2022 salary: $19,616,887)
Fernando Alonso Diaz is a Spanish professional Formula 1 racer born on 29 July 1981. He races in Formula 1 for Alpine-Renault. Fernando won the Series World drivers Championship in 2005 and 2006 while driving for Renault. He drove for McLaren, Ferrari, and Minardi. Fernando won 32 Grand Prix and 22 pole positions and had 1,899 points in 311 starts.
Also Read | Top 5 F1 Drivers with most wins in F1 history
4) Daniel Ricciardo (2022 Salary:$14,350,000)
Daniel Ricciardo is an Australian Formula 1 racer born on 1 July 1989 in Perth. He races in Formula 1 for McLaren. He made his debut in Formula 1 in 2011 at British Grand Prix. Daniel won a total of 8 Grand Prix in his career. He comes with McLaren for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He won his first race with McLaren at the Italian Grand Prix. Daniel was appointed as a Member in the 2022 Australia day honor after the 2021 season.
5) Sebastian Vettel (2022 salary: $14,350,000)
Sebastian Vettel is a German Formula One driver; he was born on 3 July 1987. He drives for Aston Martin in Formula one, previously he drove for BMW, Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Sebastian won a total of four world Driver Championship titles. He also has 53 race wins, 122 podium finishes, and 57 pole positions. He has started his career as a Test driver for BMW.
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