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Lets us look at the estimated salaries of the top 20 F1 drivers this year: starting from the bottom and going on to the top. And readers are warned, don’t be stunned, these are only the salaries, the amount they earn from endorsements could be much much higher.
No 20. Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri: £364,900
This exciting rookie is Japanese and is regarded as the most exciting talent to have come from Japan. He has already finished third in Formula Two last year and has multiple wins and pole finishes to back him up.
No19. Nicholas Latifi, Williams: £730,800
He hails from Canada and has been a reliable driver for Williams. He made his debut in F1 in 2020 at the Austrian Grand Prix. He was also the Formula 2 runner-up in 2019.
18. Nikita Mazepin, Haas: £730,800
The Russian is racing for Haas F1 in 2021 under a neutral flag representing the Russian Automobile Federation. He had competed in Formula 2 for Hitech Racing.
17. Mick Schumacher, Haas: £730,800
The German is the son of the great Michael Schumacher and a nephew of Ralf Schumacher.
He is also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. He began his career in carting in 2008 and progressed through to Formula 2 in 2019 and won Formula 2 in 2020.
His lower salary could be due to the financial struggles of the Haas team.
16. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo: £730,800
The Italian is now into his third full year of the sport,
He will be expecting that can keep up his comparative performances to match that of his teammate Raikkonen.
15. George Russell, Williams: £730,800
He is considered as one of the trio including Lando Norris and George Russel that spells a bright future for British Motorsport.
Ties with Mercedes could put him into the Silver Arrow 2022, pushing him up higher next year.
14. Esteban Ocon, Alpine: £3.6 million
The Frenchman made his Formula 1 debut in 2016 for Manor Racing.
There is a big gap between Ocon and Russel in the salaries due to the sub-par performance of Ocon last year.
His salary could slip further if the performances do not improve.
13. Lando Norris, McLaren: £3.6 million
The Brit is considered an exciting talent and has already claimed a podium finish. He is into his third year of racing.
12. Pierre Gasly, Alpha Tauri: £3.6 million
The Frenchman has had impressive results and this could see him replace his beleaguered countryman Ocon at Alpine for 2022. His base salary too could increase substantially.
11. Sergio Perez, Red Bull: £5.8 million
The Mexican, nicknamed “Checo” has previously raced for Sauber, Mclaren, Force India, and Racing Point. He has been racing F1 for the last decade. His base salary is considered to be low, considering his experience and pedigree – being in a top team. Also, Perez has a contract only till 2021.
10. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin: £7.3 million
He is a Belgian- Canadian driver racing under the Canadian flag.
He has driven for Williams and Racing Point, in Formula 1, earlier.
He bagged the pole position in Turkey but has generally lacked consistency. His salary could have been higher if he had won a race last season, which he possibly should have done in Monza (Italian Grand Prix) and Istanbul (Turkish Grand Prix) last year.
9. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari: £7.3 million
The Spaniard is the son of Carlos Sainz Sr, a double world rally champion and nephew of rally driver Anthony Sainz.
He has been a top driver for the past two years. He departed from Renault in 2018. He has been a podium finisher as also obtained point scorer consistently. He could expect higher salary increases than Stroll.
8. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo: £7.3 million
The Finn is his country's most successful driver in F1 history. He had won the F1 in 2007. He has driving F1 for 20 years now and continues to inspire awe and confidence in his racing abilities.
7. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes: £7.3 million
The Finn has previously raced with Williams from 2013 to 2016. He has won nine three races : 3 in 2017, 4 in 2019, and 2 in 2020.
He is under pressure to win races in 2021, even as has extended his contract with Mercedes till 2022.
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: £8.76 million
He is considered as the boy wonder of Monaco and Italy and Ferrari’s future.
He is seen as a future World Champion. Leclerc’s curious part of Leclerc’s contract includes a break-out clause that allows him to break the clause in case he is tired of his owner’s underwhelming machinery.
5. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren: £10.9 million
The Australian has won multiple Grand Prix and has constantly matched Max Verstappen at Red Bull. He is also quite popular amongst F1 racing fans and hence commands a high base salary.
4. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin: £10.9 million
The German is a four-time World Champion but has given sub-par performances since the German Grand Prix in 2018. He was not given a contract extension by Ferrari in 2020. He is however is still a highly valued driver considering his experience and history of winning races and championships.
3. Fernando Alonso, Alpine: £14.6 million
The Spaniard is a two-time champion and has driven for all of the greatest teams in Formula One history.
He had been a World Champion earlier with Alpine, his 20-year career experience would be very important for a time looking to move away from the middle rung to the top ranks.
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull: £18.27 million
He is a Belgian – Dutch driver racing under the Dutch flag.
He was the youngest driver to compete in the F! aged 17 years and 166 days in 2015 and first win was in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and last in the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He is an exciting and talented talent and considered a future World Champion.
He has signed for a contract extension at the beginning of 2020 but could be looking for a break-out clause within a few months, in case of the owner's underwhelming machinery. There could be a potential Mercedes seat opening for 2022.
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: £21.9 million
He is statistically considered the greatest driver of all time.
There is huge speculation that Lewis Hamilton could be considering retirement in 2021. However, Hamilton himself has not offered any comments. Will he continue with Mercedes or move onto another team in 2022? Only time will tell.
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