What Formula 1 drivers earn in 2022

The Formula 1 season officially started yesterday in Bahrain. In the near future, the sound of screeching tires on the circuit will ring through many ears again. The pay slips of the best drivers are no less. These are the five highest-paid Formula 1 drivers from 2022.Text: Patrick StofferThe fact that Formula 1 is worth millions is not a state secret. Drivers are richly rewarded for their performances and teams are happy to pay to get the best. Excluding bonuses and lucrative deals, these are the highest salaries in the world of Formula 1 for the upcoming season.

5. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren): €13,5 million

The Australian-Italian driver will again compete for car brand McLaren this year. He previously achieved seven victories for Red Bull Racing, which he drove for until 2018. Nowadays McLaren will take Ricciardo under their wing and pay € 13,5 million for this.

4. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin): €13,5 million

German Sebastian Vettel became world champion in Formula 1 no fewer than four times. During these victories he played for Red Bull Racing. After Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher, he became the third driver to win four world titles in a row. In 2010, this victory earned him the title of youngest world champion ever, at 23 years and 134 days. Next season, like Ricciardo, he can count on a salary of € 13,5 million

3. Fernando Alonso (Alpine F1): €18 million

Spaniard Fernando Alonso became world champion in Formula 2005 in 2006 and 1, where he played for Renault. Alonso became the youngest world champion ever in 2005 at the age of 24. He was able to enjoy the record for three years, as it was broken in 2008 by Lewis Hamilton and in 2010 by Sebastian Vettel, who still holds the record.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing): €50 million

It is still fresh in everyone's memory: Max Verstappen, who was the first Dutchman to ever become Formula 1 world champion. The legendary day in Abu Dhabi earned him a lot of honor and certainly a considerable salary. Verstappen has been driving for Red Bull Racing for years and this will earn him €31 million next season, excluding bonuses and other lucrative deals.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): €36 million

The highest salary this year will be paid to Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton. The Brit has been driving Mercedes for years and loyalty is rewarded. The seven-time world champion has many titles to his name and is far at the top of the list with an annual salary of €36 million. This crowned him the top earner in Formula 1.