F1 Driver Salaries 2007

[EIR Loe.307]

Some interesting info on what F1 Drivers get paid. These are estimates from F1 Racing Magazine's March issue "The Real Cost of F1"


- No. 1: Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, $51 million U.S. (up from $15 million)
- No. 2: Ralf Schumacher, Toyota, $25 million.
- No. 3: Fernando Alonso, McLaren, $22 million.
- No. 4: Jenson Button, Honda, $18 million.
- No. 5: Rubens Barrichello, Honda, $12 million.
- No. 6: Jarno Trulli, Toyota, $10 million.
- No. 7: Felipe Massa, Ferrari, $8 million.
- No. 8: Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault, $7 million.
- No. 9: Mark Webber, Red Bull, $5 million.
- No. 10. Takuma Sato, Super Aguri, $4.5 million.

Schumacher, the seven-time world champ who retired at the end of last season, was the highest-paid F1 driver ever at $62.4 million. He made at least another $17 million from personal endorsements and merchandising.

Raikkonen's salary at Ferrari is footed by principal team sponsor Phillip Morris. The 27-year-old Finn's contract allows him to augment his earnings with commercial endorsements, something he was not permitted to do while with McLaren.

[Driverdb]

I think I'd like to hire Ralf's manager when it's time to talk about a raise. :D

[DanicaRules]

Why does F1 pay so much ?:confused:

I know NASCAR is the highest paid in the racing world but I was wondering why F1 pays a lot.

[Harakimi]

Why does F1 pay so much ?:confused:

I know NASCAR is the highest paid in the racing world but I was wondering why F1 pays a lot.

Because it's the most followed sport in the world with over 1 billion fans over the globe. Well maybe Soccer :rolleyes: tops that. That amount of fans draws big bucks from sponsors. Top teams in F1 have about 400 million us. dollar budget every year. I think you could run whole NASCAR series with that kind of money? :)

[EIR Loe.307]

I know NASCAR is the highest paid in the racing world but I was wondering why F1 pays a lot.

You're totally wrong on that one. The highest paid NASCAR driver hit #24 on the top 50 highest paid athletes where Kimi hit #2 and a few other F1 drivers were in above #24. F1 is THE highest paid. It just shows how much more popular and bigger F1 really is. American's aren't as exposed to F1 though. Just like Soccer. That is so much bigger than football, but since we don't have it as much we assume it isn't as big. You'll start to see how grand F1 really is as you start to get more into it. Only Tiger woods $100 million (mostly sponsors) beat Kimi and Schumi would have beat that but he retired.

[f1sauber]

Because it's the most followed sport in the world with over 1 billion fans over the globe. Well maybe Soccer :rolleyes: tops that. That amount of fans draws big bucks from sponsors. Top teams in F1 have about 400 million us. dollar budget every year. I think you could run whole NASCAR series with that kind of money? :)

I remember reading somewhere that only soccer and the olymipcs are ahead of f1 in terms of viewers world wide.

[JoStream]

I remember reading somewhere that only soccer and the olymipcs are ahead of f1 in terms of viewers world wide.

Although behind the Super Bowl and Champions League Final, the Formula 1 race at Montreal 2005 recorded a larger audience than the NBA finals and the Tour de France with 53 million people watching Kimi Raikkonen storm to victory in his McLaren :eek:

[DanicaRules]

I honestly thought NASCAR was the highest paid. Please forgive me for being so out of the loop on that..:o

[DarkLord]

I think I'd like to hire Ralf's manager when it's time to talk about a raise. :D

:lol::lol::lol:

exactly my thoughts :D

[hk77]

how much is hamilton going to make in 08,
i heard that he already signed a multimillion $ deal with EA sports, plus floating himself in the stock market.
I also cant beleive that he already has a book out in his 1st year. looks to me like his greed is going to eventually going to be his major flaw.:mad:

[JoStream]

I also cant beleive that he already has a book out in his 1st year. looks to me like his greed is going to eventually going to be his major flaw.:mad:

Yea, at 22 there is so much to write about. It's been a glorious and far too long F1 career for Hamilton, so it's time to reflect :lol: :rolleyes:

Guess we can expect 'Part II' by the end of next season :wonder:

[DarkLord]

Yea, at 22 there is so much to write about. It's been a glorious and far too long F1 career for Hamilton, so it's time to reflect :lol: :rolleyes:

Guess we can expect 'Part II' by the end of next season :wonder:

i wonder what a 22 year old has to say in his biography?

[Harakimi]

He's had a long career already in lower categories but I also think that this book just taking the money away from the fans. This is not a fact but it has been said that this year his basic salary from McLaren was around 1m and next year it will be around 15m...

[EIR Loe.307]

This is not a fact but it has been said that this year his basic salary from McLaren was around 1m and next year it will be around 15m... They mentioned that on SPEED too. They said that his father was negotiating his contract. That was maybe 2/3 of the way into the season. I wouldn't doubt it.

[JoelManiac]

He's had a long career already in lower categories but I also think that this book just taking the money away from the fans. This is not a fact but it has been said that this year his basic salary from McLaren was around 1m and next year it will be around 15m...
Mclaren got lucky then. Getting a driver on low pay that performed very well.lol

[Harakimi]

All the drivers, atleast rookie drivers have different kind of clauses in their contracts. I bet Hamilton got paid way more than 1m because of his success in the championship :)

[JoelManiac]

From sponsers etc?
Mclaren would have a fixed price for a contract wouldent they? Or all teams for that matter

[Harakimi]

Clauses like:
x amount of $ from single point.
x amount of $ for top 3 finish in the championship.
etc etc...

Some drivers have personal sponrorship deals and they get paid from those too, I bet Hamilton is hot stuff on that market. ;)

[JoelManiac]

Some drivers have personal sponrorship deals and they get paid from those too, I bet Hamilton is hot stuff on that market. ;)
I bet thats where he gets most of his money from.

[DarkLord]

All the drivers, atleast rookie drivers have different kind of clauses in their contracts. I bet Hamilton got paid way more than 1m because of his success in the championship :)

I read somewhere his Performance bonus was more than his salary in 2007

[Ryan]

They mentioned that on SPEED too. They said that his father was negotiating his contract. That was maybe 2/3 of the way into the season. I wouldn't doubt it.

I hope that works out better for Hamilton than it did for Eric Lindros.:rolleyes:

But still I wonder how Lewis feels having his father basically control his life when he's 23 and a professional athlete. If I was in his shoes, I would tell him, nicely, to have a seat and hire a real manager.

Willy Weber anyone?

[GreyKitten]

Lewis Hamilton is very marketable here in UK at the moment. I was at a big shopping centre (mall) yesterday and there were quite a few products relying on Lewis's endorsement.

I don't blame him for taking everything that's offered - I know I would! - and who can tell how long an F1 career will be - one big shunt and that's the end of it.

As for the book, it's actually a very interesting account of his early career and I really enjoyed reading it. I don't think he's wrong for publishing it - there are plenty of other people writing books about his career and cashing in so I don't see why he shouldn't tell his own story.

He was also on TV the other evening at the awards ceremony where he received 3 Autosport awards. He was obviously very grateful to his father and seemed sincere.

One of the awards was presented by Ayrton Senna's sister and it was a bit of a tear-jerker - I know I was reaching for the tissues!

I don't begrudge F1 drivers their salaries - there are footballers (soccer) here who don't earn much less and aren't worth a tenth of what they earn (couldn't even qualify for the European Cup!). Every time a driver goes on the track they may end up paying the ultimate price - I admire every single one of them regardless of which category they race!

[saltysurprise]

Lewis Hamilton is very marketable here in UK at the moment. I was at a big shopping centre (mall) yesterday and there were quite a few products relying on Lewis's endorsement.

I don't blame him for taking everything that's offered - I know I would! - and who can tell how long an F1 career will be - one big shunt and that's the end of it.

As for the book, it's actually a very interesting account of his early career and I really enjoyed reading it. I don't think he's wrong for publishing it - there are plenty of other people writing books about his career and cashing in so I don't see why he shouldn't tell his own story.

He was also on TV the other evening at the awards ceremony where he received 3 Autosport awards. He was obviously very grateful to his father and seemed sincere.

One of the awards was presented by Ayrton Senna's sister and it was a bit of a tear-jerker - I know I was reaching for the tissues!

I don't begrudge F1 drivers their salaries - there are footballers (soccer) here who don't earn much less and aren't worth a tenth of what they earn (couldn't even qualify for the European Cup!). Every time a driver goes on the track they may end up paying the ultimate price - I admire every single one of them regardless of which category they race!

Not to get off topic:rolleyes: again..:lol:

But, I have to nominate this one here for 'Most Intelligent Post of the Year' award:finishfirst:

You know, GreyKitten, you don't say much, but when you do:thumbsup: Well said.

That is all.. Carry on;)

[GreyKitten]

Not to get off topic:rolleyes: again..:lol:

But, I have to nominate this one here for 'Most Intelligent Post of the Year' award:finishfirst:

You know, GreyKitten, you don't say much, but when you do:thumbsup: Well said.

That is all.. Carry on;)

Thank you saltysurprise, I shall have a large drink to celebrate my nomination!

:drunk:

[Driverdb]

But, I have to nominate this one here for 'Most Intelligent Post of the Year' award:finishfirst:

WHAT?! Have you been screening my posts all year, Salty? :D

[nevr4get]

Why is Rubens 5th he is the most experienced driver on the grid and he is 5th I can see why Kimi and Alonso are ahead but why Ralph and Button???

I'm a big Honda fan but cant see why Jenson is getting $5 Million more!!

[CWBeattie]

I heard Hamilton had negotiated an unprecedented contract which allows him to have his own sponsorships on his uniform, which will put him in a league of his own as far as yearly earnings go.

[JoStream]

Why is Rubens 5th he is the most experienced driver on the grid and he is 5th I can see why Kimi and Alonso are ahead but why Ralph and Button???

His market price has a lower ceiling because he spent six season as a number two driver for Michael Schumacher. Everybody earning a higher salary than Rubens has usually been the dominant force in the team (with the exception of Ralf, who you can now take out of the equation anyway).

I heard Hamilton had negotiated an unprecedented contract which allows him to have his own sponsorships on his uniform, which will put him in a league of his own as far as yearly earnings go.

I haven't heard this, do you have a source we can reference? I doubt the team would let him customize his race apparel :huh:

[CWBeattie]

Martin Brundle was talking about it at Brazil, as seen on TSN

[Ryan]

Martin Brundle was talking about it at Brazil, as seen on TSN

I don't remember that...

[CWBeattie]

Maybe it was a dream?

I'll have to check the tape, maybe it was James Allen, maybe it was Japan? Any way I found this article that's pretty interesting, anyone want Lewis Shares

[saltysurprise]

Any way I found this article that's pretty interesting, anyone want Lewis Shares?


Been there, done that;)

www.worldracingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2476

[CWBeattie]

I heard Hamilton had negotiated an unprecedented contract which allows him to have his own sponsorships on his uniform, which will put him in a league of his own as far as yearly earnings go.

I found the tape, Gerald Donaldson was talking about it on TSN's coverage during Q2 of qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. Now, where he heard it I don't know, but I knew I heard it somewhere!

[EIR Loe.307]

M. Schumi to make $35m euro over 7 years RETIRED!!


Despite no longer competing in Formula One, Michael Schumacher has ensured his financial security for the years ahead.

The German daily Bild-Zeitung reports that a raft of sponsorship deals guarantee the retired seven time world champion a 35 million euros income over the next seven years.


This is just for whenever he does something like ROC etc. I wish I could make big bucks everytime I went out of the house!! :lol:

[JoStream]

M. Schumi to make $35m euro over 7 years RETIRED!!

That's a pretty good deal :p. He probably needs to sustain his income anyway as I'm sure his expenses are not what we would call 'reasonable' :lol:

[Brewer]

I need to get into racing! Haha yeah right

[Blazing Lion]

Some interesting info on what F1 Drivers get paid. These are estimates from F1 Racing Magazine's March issue "The Real Cost of F1"
Thanks for sharing the information.:)