FORMULA ONE returns for this week as 22 of the world’s best drivers go head-to-head in 24 races across the globe.
The sport is known for its glamour and luxury – and the drivers are at the heart of it.
The stars are, of course, paid for the huge names that they are, but also for the risks they are taking in the cars.
Like most sportspeople contracted to a team, F1 drivers are on deals with their teams.
The sport has risen enormously in the past decade with the global success of Netflix show ‘Drive to Survive’, which has just released series eight.
Also, the release of the blockbuster F1 film starring Brad Pitt helped to generate a prize pot of over £1billion for the teams last season.
How much do F1 drivers earn for winning a race and are there any bonuses?
Drivers don’t directly receive prize money for winning a race, regardless of standing.
Instead, they will earn a significant bonus on top of their base salary from their team if they win.
The amount varies greatly depending on the driver, team, and performance – sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per victory.
Which F1 drivers are the top earners?
Bonuses excluded, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s superstar Max Verstappen are the highest earners.
The four-time champion driver, 28, reportedly earns £50million a year – a figure similar to Ferrari driver Hamilton.
The rest of the top five include current world champion Lando Norris at McLaren, Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell – who all earn around £30m as a base salary.
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