MAY 8, 2013

Hamilton catches Alonso as F1's highest earner

Lewis Hamilton has caught up with Fernando Alonso as F1's highest earner.

According to Business Book GP 2013, Briton Hamilton now earns an estimated EUR 20 million per season after switching from McLaren to Mercedes over the winter.

The publication claims Spaniard Alonso earns the same at Ferrari.

Curiously, F1's next highest earner is Jenson Button, with EUR 16 million, followed by reigning triple world champion and early 2013 title leader Sebastian Vettel (12m).

Also in double-digits are Nico Rosberg (11m) and Mark Webber (10m), while Brazilian Felipe Massa (6m) appears to have taken a pay-cut in the wake of his poor 2012 campaign.

Kimi Raikkonen's retainer at Lotus is just 3 million, but it is believed the Finn's income is boosted by huge per-point bonuses.

Mexican Sergio Perez is paid just EUR 1.5 million by McLaren, and the only other F1 millionaires are Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado and Nico Hulkenberg (all 1m).

(GMM)