FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[tpherson]

According to the latest Forbes list of 50 top paid athletes, the top paid Formula 1drivers are: (number donotes rank in top 50)

#9 - Michael Schumacher $34 million
#11 - Fernando Alonso $32 million
#15 - Lewis Hamilton $30 million

This includes salaries AND endorsements

Other motorsports figures on the list

#13 - Valentino Rossi $31 million
#17 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. $28.5 million
#26 - Jeff Gordon $24.9 million
#31 - Jimmy Johnson $24 million

I had heard, back when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was alive and driving, he was pulling in more than $50 million a year. A lot of money for driving in circles.

[phil12321]

I had heard, back when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was alive and driving, he was pulling in more than $50 million a year. A lot of money for driving in circles.

I am in no way a NASCAR Fan.... but just like any other form of motorsport it is very difficult to become champion...especially on a superspeedway track. Its alot more than just "driving in circles"... there is alot of strategy that goes into a race day performance and package. Its not any easier or harder than F1 in my opinion because if that was the case than JPB would have been series champion many times over..... So the champs deserve on par pay with top F1 drivers IMO.... Gotta give these guys some respect!!!

[tpherson]

I had heard, back when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was alive and driving, he was pulling in more than $50 million a year. A lot of money for driving in circles.

I am in no way a NASCAR Fan.... but just like any other form of motorsport it is very difficult to become champion...especially on a superspeedway track. Its alot more than just "driving in circles"... there is alot of strategy that goes into a race day performance and package. Its not any easier or harder than F1 in my opinion because if that was the case than JPB would have been series champion many times over..... So the champs deserve on par pay with top F1 drivers IMO.... Gotta give these guys some respect!!!

I AM a NASCAR fan, that comment was tongue in cheek. They are at the top of their chosen profession, deserve every penny they earn. I think there are some current NASCAR drivers that had their early carreers taken a different route, could have been excellent formula 1 drivers. Its just that now, in the US, all roads lead to NASCAR. Open wheel racing in the US is in a sorry state right now.

[What's Burning?]

I miss stock car racing.

This list is what they earn in total not solely on their driver's salary.

[phil12321]

I had heard, back when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was alive and driving, he was pulling in more than $50 million a year. A lot of money for driving in circles.

I am in no way a NASCAR Fan.... but just like any other form of motorsport it is very difficult to become champion...especially on a superspeedway track. Its alot more than just "driving in circles"... there is alot of strategy that goes into a race day performance and package. Its not any easier or harder than F1 in my opinion because if that was the case than JPB would have been series champion many times over..... So the champs deserve on par pay with top F1 drivers IMO.... Gotta give these guys some respect!!!

I AM a NASCAR fan, that comment was tongue in cheek. They are at the top of their chosen profession, deserve every penny they earn. I think there are some current NASCAR drivers that had their early carreers taken a different route, could have been excellent formula 1 drivers. Its just that now, in the US, all roads lead to NASCAR. Open wheel racing in the US is in a sorry state right now.

I hope I didnt offend you!!! most people that say "NASCAR is just driving in cicrcles" dont like the sport. I guess I assumed you didnt like NASCAR which was the reason for my response

[tpherson]

I had heard, back when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was alive and driving, he was pulling in more than $50 million a year. A lot of money for driving in circles.

I am in no way a NASCAR Fan.... but just like any other form of motorsport it is very difficult to become champion...especially on a superspeedway track. Its alot more than just "driving in circles"... there is alot of strategy that goes into a race day performance and package. Its not any easier or harder than F1 in my opinion because if that was the case than JPB would have been series champion many times over..... So the champs deserve on par pay with top F1 drivers IMO.... Gotta give these guys some respect!!!

I AM a NASCAR fan, that comment was tongue in cheek. They are at the top of their chosen profession, deserve every penny they earn. I think there are some current NASCAR drivers that had their early carreers taken a different route, could have been excellent formula 1 drivers. Its just that now, in the US, all roads lead to NASCAR. Open wheel racing in the US is in a sorry state right now.

I hope I didnt offend you!!! most people that say "NASCAR is just driving in cicrcles" dont like the sport. I guess I assumed you didnt like NASCAR which was the reason for my response

No, I just know what opinions are about NASCAR. It doesn't bother me. I like all forms of racing. I'd watch lawntractors race. I live 1 hour from Indianapolis. Have been to the 500, went to the Brickyard for 11 years, went to all of the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. We have a short track a county over, they run all sorts of beat up crap cars on Saturday night. Even run a figure 8 race. Its fun, in a redneck sort of way. I respect them all for doing what they do, even Lewis Hamilton

I also think if you are going to make over $30 million, you should be ready for every bit of criticim you get. Comes with the job. Just get on with it.

[vlad]

Wait 'till you see Vettel's salary for next year...

[andrew]

Wait 'till you see Vettel's salary for next year...

Kerching!!!

[What's Burning?]

The bulk of the number comes from sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and other sources of income like speaking engagements.