Should Hamilton still be racing and winning championships at the age of 43, he will no doubt smash those figures.īecoming an F1 driver does not guarantee a fortune. It seems that longevity and consistency are the keys to hitting the big numbers in motorsport.
To be fair, Johnson is a seven-time champion and has been taking part in the Cup Series since 2002. Comparison with NASCARĬompared with the highest-paid active drivers in NASCAR – top 10, the Formula One pay packets look a little light, with the 10th drive in the list earning more than every F1 star apart from Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, and top driver Jimmie Johnson banking a whopping $120 million (£95 million). That’s less than McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg. Charles Leclerc is set to earn just over £3 million for representing the Prancing Horse in 2019. As the second driver at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas receives over £30 million less than his teammate, Hamilton, with a wage of around £8 million, while experienced campaigner Kimi Raikkonen will still earn more than £4 million despite having left Ferrari for Sauber.Īnd driving for a giant name like Ferrari does not guarantee a big wage check. Wages can also be determined by a driver’s position in the team. Further income may also be derived from hitting certain targets such as point’s totals, podium finishes and race wins. And following his performances so far in 2019, he can expect that to rise significantly next year. Many drivers receive such small payments and have to rely on personal sponsorship deals to boost their income.Īnother rookie, Lando Norris, is reported to be earning over £200,000, which is still not bad for a 19-year-old. For example, five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton earns in excess of £40 million a year at Mercedes, while rookie George Russell, who drives for the struggling Williams team, receives a relatively paltry (by comparison) £140,000. Just in Formula One alone, the disparity between those at the front of the grid and those at the back can be enormous. But just how much do the top racing drivers earn? Formula One salaries Luxury homes, giant yachts and private jets are the stuff of dreams, and many of motorsport’s biggest stars seem to be living that dream. Many are attracted by the glamourous jet-setting lifestyle that comes with being a top driver (in stark contrast to those who work behind the scenes). And to make it at any level, you will need a considerable amount of skill and determination.īut it’s not just the thrill of competing for that makes the role of the racing driver so appealing. If you have ever dreamed of becoming a racing driver, you will obviously be attracted by the racing element.