Source: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED
[Saba Sports News] As the 2024 F1 season concluded under the dazzling Abu Dhabi night sky, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen not only claimed the season driver championship but also topped Forbes’ list of F1 driver earnings with a total income of $75 million. Unlike Forbes’ lists for football or NBA players, the earnings ranking for F1 drivers does not include endorsement income, focusing solely on salaries and bonuses. This is primarily because F1 drivers must fulfill obligations to their teams and sponsors, leaving little time for personal business pursuits. According to the updated Forbes list, the earnings structure of current F1 drivers has two main characteristics. One is the prominence of salary-driven drivers, such as Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, whose salaries account for a significant portion of their total income, reflecting their immense popularity and competitive prowess in F1, as well as their commercial value. Verstappen’s salary is $60 million, making up 80% of his total income, while Hamilton’s salary is $55 million, accounting for 96.5% of his total income. The other characteristic is the significant bonus share for drivers like McLaren’s Lando Norris, whose bonuses amount to $23 million, making up 65.7% of his total income, highlighting their exceptional performances during the season. In the editor’s view, F1 drivers’ earnings are a result of various factors, including competitive strength, race results, commercial value, and team status.