These are the 5 highest-paid Formula 1 drivers

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. All footballers with fat annual salaries. But not only top footballers have annual salaries that make you jealous. Formula 1 also pays out hefty sums every year. With the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort this weekend in prospect, MASTERS takes a look at the paychecks of the 5 highest paid Formula 1 drivers.Text: Patrick Stoffer

5. Sebastian Vettel (1987) - €15 mln.

The list kicks off with German racing driver Sebastian Vettel. During his career, he could call himself Formula One world champion no less than four times. He won these titles all 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 earns him an annual salary of €15 million. These days he tears around the track for Aston Martin.

4. Sergio Pérez (1990) - €18 mln.

The Mexican made his debut this year at Red Bull Racing, after driving for Racing Point (now Aston Martin) for two seasons. With his bonuses, he apparently made better deals than his annual salary. Pérez will rake in as much as €13 million in bonuses and deals in 2021. Against this he still has 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 mln.

After two years of absence, Spain's Fernando Alonso is back on the track in full force. This year he is racing for Alpine, after years of driving for McLaren. His absence does not detract from his annual salary, as he can still count on a nice €25 million.

2. Max Verstappen (1997) - € 42 mln.

Of course, our own pride Max Verstappen should not be missing from the list of highest-paid drivers. Under the Dutch flag, he has been racing for Red Bull Racing for years, and with success. After many victories, he can count on the second spot on this list with an annual salary of €25 million. Verstappen is also doing well with many lucrative deals and bonuses. These boost his bank account by as much as € 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 mln.

The leader of this list is, of course, Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton. The Brit has been driving for Mercedes for years and this has earned him a hefty bank account. The seven-time world champion has many titles to his name and is far and away at the top of the list with an annual salary of €55 million. Add to this €7 million in deals and bonuses and this gives him an impressive annual salary of €62 million. This crowns him the highest earner in Formula 1.