Handover in the lead, off and on the track. Max Verstappen, reigning world champion, overtook Lewis Hamilton to become the highest paid driver in the paddock ahead of the Briton, according to Forbes. Fernando Alonso completes the podium.
Max Verstappen has signed a lucrative contract extension. The Dutch driver, who extended with the Red Bull team until 2028, saw his emoluments be considerably increased. He will now receive no less than 50 million euros per season. Verstappen is just ahead of his rival Lewis Hamilton. Under contract with Mercedes until 2023, the seven-time world champion receives 49.5 million euros per year.
The two drivers relegate far behind the competition. Fernando Alonso, who is in his last year of contract with Alpine, occupies the 3and place in this ranking of the highest paid pilots with an annual salary of 22.5 million euros. Lando Norris (McLaren) points in 4and position, with 18 million euros per year, ahead of Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), who receives 13.5 million euros just like Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren).
Charles Leclerc ranks 7and place with a salary at Ferrari of 10.8 million euros per year, while the French drivers Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) appear in the middle of the pack, along with George Russell freshly landed at Mercedes, with emoluments of 4.5 million euros. Yuki Tsunoda, Gasly’s teammate, brings up the rear with 675,000 euros annually.
The ranking of the highest paid pilots
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 50 million euros
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 49.5 million euros
3. Fernando Alonso (Alpine): 22.5 million euros
4. Lando Norris (McLaren): 18 million euros
5. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin): 13.5 million euros
6. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren): 13.5 million euros
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 10.8 million euros
8. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo): 9 million euros
9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): 9 million euros
10. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): 9 million euros
11. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): 7 million euros
12. George Russell (Mercedes): 4.5 million euros
13. Estaban Ocon (Alpine): 4.5 million euros
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri): 4.5 million euros
15. Alexander Albon (Williams): 1.8 million euros
16. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo): 900,000 euros
17. Mick Schumacher (Haas): 900,000 euros
18. Nicholas Lafiti (Williams): 900,000 euros
19. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri): 675,000 euros