The real salaries of F1 drivers in 2008
As suspense reaches its peak in the standings at the top of the table between Hamilton and Massa or at the bottom of the table between, for example, Vettel and Piquet, the income between the last on the list and the one with the highest income is multiplied by 100! This is given gross, excluding […]
As suspense reaches its peak in the standings at the top of the table between Hamilton and Massa or at the bottom of the table between, for example, Vettel and Piquet, the income between the last on the list and the one with the highest income is multiplied by 100! This is given gross, excluding bonuses and advertising contracts…
But who are the ones who hit the jackpot or, on the contrary, earn the F1 paddock minimum wage? Answers…
No surprise, it’s the reigning world champion, Kimi Räikkönen, who had the highest salary in 2008 with no less than 18 million euros. It’s only logical that the 2007 runner-ups follow, with Hamilton in second place (16.5 million euros) and Fernando Alonso with 15 million euros.
On the other hand, if we look at the pursuers, real misunderstandings or a certain injustice hover over this salary grid. For example, Massa and Button (respectively at Ferrari and Honda) have the same income of 13 million euros, while the former could be the next world champion in 2008 and the latter is only 18th in the standings! The same goes for Button’s teammate, Rubens Barrichello, who earns 11.7 million euros.
Contrary to the overrated Honda drivers, Kubica (BMW-Sauber) and Kovalainen (McLaren) were underrated with respective salaries of 5.2 and 5 million euros. The Polish driver is currently in 3rd place ahead of Kimi Räikkönen while the Finnish driver is in 6th place. Finally, David Coulthard will be able to enjoy happy days in the tropics as the Scottish, future retiree, will have received 10 million euros before the end of the year.
Finally, a thousand miles away from these incomes that leave no one indifferent, Sebastien Bourdais must settle (…) for 1.5 million euros for his first Formula 1 season. The ‘Rmistes’ of the grid are the two Force India drivers who earn a pittance compared to the infernal podium, with 400,000 and 200,000 euros respectively for Fisichella and Sutil.
In connection with everyone’s income, the countries of residence are also very interesting…
Switzerland and Monaco are popular places because of their advantageous tax systems. Thus, the alpine ski slopes host 35% of the drivers and the Rock with its Mediterranean shores accommodates 30% of the drivers. Special mention to those who have decided to live in their home country. Fisichella in Italy, Vettel, Glock and Sutil in Germany.
