Everybody is talking about football players who make tons of money per year. No one is talking about drivers. Especially Formula 1 drivers, who make a small fortune on a yearly basis. With the real talent, passion and will to fight and learn, F1 drivers can make a name for themselves. And that means that they will not be forced to live only by their salary. Their name can bring many sponsors that can pay them enough to make them rich and wealthy. So, find out which drivers have made their fortune. Some of them are still making it, some of them have stopped driving and enjoy in their retirement.
Lewis Hamilton
This 32 year old English driver has won the Formula 1 championship three times. He won his first tittle while driving for McLaren Mercedes in 2008. Basically his professional career is based on Mercedes engine. In 2013 he swapped McLaren for Mercedes Grand Prix and after only 1 year, he proved everyone that he still got something to show. He became the most successful British driver of all time, and he won 2014 and 2015 championship. His contract with Mercedes Grand Prix is worth $30 million per year. He got bonus of another $10 million if he won the championship. With net-worth of $120 millions he is one of the wealthiest.
Eddie Irvine
Yet another wealthy British Formula 1 driver. He spend his entire career in Formula 1 driving for only 3 teams. Jordan, Ferrari and Jaguar. He was a good driver, maybe one of the best who never won the championship. But, Eddie is not concerned about that. Well, maybe just a little. But his net-worth of $180 million can be a real shoulder to cry on. Besides that, this Norther Irish driver has other business outside of racing. He was known as a perfect wing man for Michael Schumacher at time when he was driving for Ferrari.
Kimi Räikkönen
Kimi “The Iceman” Raikkonen started his Formula 1 career back in 2001 driving for Sauber. After only 1 year, he signed with McLaren Mercedes in order to replace his countryman fellow Mika Hakkinen. He was proven as one of the best drivers in F1, so in 2007 he signed with Ferrari for salary of $51 million per year which made him one of the highest paid sportsman at that time. That same year he won his only F1 championship. Now, he is driving for Ferrari again. Anyway, his net-worth is $180 million.
Fernando Alonso
One of the most anticipated Formula 1 drivers ever. His talent was noticed back when he was driving for one of the worst teams who ever participated in Formula 1, Minardi. Even then, he showed potential. He made his fortune when he won the F1 championship in 2005 and 2006 driving for Benetton Renault. “El Nano” then signed with McLaren but he left after only 1 year with the British team. Ferrari brought him and gave him “tons” of money to win titles and races. He nearly won back in 2012. Anyway, that didn’t stopped him from adding $220 millions to his account.
Michael Schumacher
Is any introduction needed for this fellow? This guy won the Formula 1 championship 7 times in his career, which makes him the best F1 driver of all time. He drove for Jordan, Benetton and of course Ferrari. He retired in Ferrari in 2007, but then he made a comeback with Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010. In 2012 he finally retired for good, but he was still making money. Now he is our number one in this list, with $780 million behind his name.