Forbes reveals F1 drivers’ salaries and bonuses for 2022: Charles and Carlos outside Top 4
24/11/2022 12:22
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brought the 2022 Formula One season to a close, all while waiting to see what happens on the track next year, when Scuderia Ferrari hopes to finally be able to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes for the titles.
Will Max Verstappen continue to dominate the championship throne or will he lose the Drivers’ title to a rival dressed in red or gray? Obviously it is too early to know, contrary to other non-sporting data from the championship that has just ended. In fact, Verstappen has not only won his second drivers’ championship, but is also leading another ranking: the one relating to the highest paid drivers in Formula 1 in 2022.
According to estimates provided by the financial magazine Forbes, the Dutchman in fact earns a total of 60 million dollars, taking into consideration ‘only’ the salary and bonuses, therefore without counting the sponsorships (with the latter mainly linked to the teams).
Consequently, the driver who currently has the longest contract in Formula 1, available until 2028, has thus beaten Lewis Hamilton also in this respect, with the Englishman from Mercedes who must therefore ‘settle’ for second after being at the top of this ranking between 2013 and 2021.
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Of the two, Lewis Hamilton has the highest base salary with Forbes estimating the Brit to earn £45.6m per season. However, he gets no bonuses alongside that, while Max Verstappen does. The Dutchman’s £33.2m is increased by £16.6m in bonuses earned in 2022, putting him ahead of his rival in total earnings.
This is without taking into consideration all the other activities in which the 7-times champion is engaged in, including managing a team in Extreme E, having a stake in the NFL Denver Broncos team, and the creation of a film production company known as Dawn Apollo Films. All this in anticipation of a possible renewal of his contract with Mercedes, which expires in 2023. Also in the economic aspect, Lewis Hamilton had previously overtaken one of his former rivals, as well as teammate in 2007: Fernando Alonso. Before Hamilton’s debut, the Spaniard could enjoy the highest salary in Formula 1, now fixed at 30 million dollars, which still earned him the opportunity to finish on the podium in this special ranking while waiting for his move to Aston Martin next season.
Sergio Perez’s second Red Bull is just outside the top 3. The Mexican, who was defeated by Charles Leclerc in the fight for the vice-champion title and is still at the center of controversy with his teammate, nonetheless occupies fourth position with 26 million dollars, three more than what Charles Leclerc himself earns, (about 23 million). Sixth place, however, for a driver who ended his career in the top flight this year: Sebastian Vettel. Curiously, the German of Aston Martin is tied for 17 million with another driver who will not participate in the next championship, but who will experience it as the third driver for Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo.
Slightly further back, and therefore in eighth position, we find Carlos Sainz. The Spanish Ferrari driver, who also scored his first career win at Silverstone in the British Grand Prix, receives a total of 15 million, as well as a contract renewal extended until 2024. Behind him there is his former McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who earns 11 million dollars but is still ahead of his compatriot George Russell, last of the Top 10 with 10 million.
Providing details how they came to the totals published, Forbes explained: “The estimates are based on financial documents, legal filings and press leaks as well as conversations with industry insiders and are rounded to the nearest million. Drivers typically receive a base salary plus bonuses for points scored or for race or championship wins, with the amount depending on the size of the team and the experience of the driver.”
FORMULA 1’S HIGHEST-PAID DRIVERS FOR 2022
