These are the 5 highest paid Formula 1 drivers

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar are all football players with substantial annual salaries. Formula 1 drivers earn comparable amounts. With the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort coming up this weekend, MASTERS takes a look at the pay slips of the top earners in motorsport.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. All football players with a big annual salary. But not only top football players have an annual salary that makes you jealous. Also in the Formula 1 substantial amounts are paid out annually. With the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort again this weekend, MASTERS will take a look at the pay slips of the 5 highest paid Formula 1 drivers.Text: Patrick Stoffer

5. Sebastian Vettel (1987) – €15 million.

The list kicks off with German racing driver Sebastian Vettel. During his career he could call himself Formula 1 world champion no fewer than four times. He won all these titles with Red Bull Racing. After Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher, he became the third driver to win four world titles in a row. This now gives him an annual salary of €15 million. Nowadays he races around the circuit for Aston Martin.

4. Sergio Pérez (1990) – €18 million.

The Mexican made his debut this year with Red Bull Racing, after driving for Racing Point (now Aston Martin) for two seasons. He has apparently made better agreements with his bonuses than with his annual salary. Pérez will rake in no less than €2021 million in bonuses and deals in 13. This is offset by an annual salary of a paltry €5 million, but due to his current performance he can probably count on an annual salary of €5,5 million.

3. Fernando Alonso (1981) – €25 million.

After two years of absence, Spanish Fernando Alonso is back on the circuit. This year he is racing for Alpine, after years of driving for McLaren. His absence does not affect his annual salary, as he can still count on a nice € 25 million.

2. Max Verstappen (1997) – €42 million.

Of course, our own pride Max Verstappen should not be missing from the list of best-paid drivers. He has been racing for Red Bull Racing under the Dutch flag for years, and with success. After many victories, he can count on second place on this list with an annual salary of € 25 million. Verstappen is also doing well with many lucrative deals and bonuses. This will fill his bank account with no less than € 17 million and with this income he can look forward to an annual statement of € 42 million. Not bad for a 23 year old.

1. Lewis Hamilton (1987) – €62 million.

The leader of this list is of course Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton. The Brit has been driving for Mercedes for years and this gives him a large bank account. 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 €55 million. Add another €7 million in deals and bonuses and this gives him an impressive annual salary of €62 million. This crowned him the top earner in Formula 1.