Who doesn’t envy System 1 drivers? Bravery, unbelievable potential, bodily superiority and gold-plated attraction make the likes of Lewis Hamilton superstars.
They’re paid to place their lives on the road in demise machines for our leisure. Their paychecks are sometimes as superb as the highest speeds on the road circuit.
F1 is the top of motorsport for status, however different sequence are simply as demanding. Championships like NASCAR and IndyCar require related ranges of bravery and craftsmanship, however how do their drivers’ way of life measure as much as the F1 stars?
Based mostly on estimates for the 2022 season, let’s examine the pay package deal a proficient System 1, IndyCar or NASCAR racer can anticipate.
System 1 wage – $11.4m common (£9.4m)
System 1 drivers are the highest-paid athletes in motorsport, incomes a median of $11.4m throughout all 20 drivers within the 2022 grid – a determine set to drop barely this 12 months with Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo stepping down.
However that quantity omits contractual bonuses and the numerous profitable sponsorship contracts every driver receives per 12 months.
It was back-to-back world champion Max Verstappen Final 12 months’s highest-paid F1 starThe Dutchman reportedly earned $60 million from his cope with Purple Bull together with $20 million in bonuses.
Verstappen has signed an unprecedented six-year extension with the Austrian crew that ensures his F1 seat till 2028 and leads him right into a world the place Lewis Hamilton has by no means earlier than gained steam.
The seven-times Hertfordshire-born champion’s beginning wage is believed to be greater than Verstappen’s $55m, however with no race wins in 2022, the Dutchman has even managed to eclipse his nice rival in funds.
On the low degree, the primary Chinese language F1 driver Guanyu Zhou, Nicolas Latifi and Mick Schumacher earned $1 million whereas Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsunoda earned $750,000.
Verstappen was among the many athletes who disagreed with the implementation of a cap on drivers’ salaries inside the broader finances cap launched for the 2022 season. There is no such thing as a cap in place for the time being, however the FIA may look into it sooner or later.
F1’s No. 1 instructed the press in June: “I believe no person actually is aware of the place it is going, however from my facet, it is utterly improper.”
“I believe for the time being F1 is turning into increasingly common and everyone seems to be making increasingly cash, together with the groups and FOM. [Formula One Management].
“Everybody advantages, so why ought to drivers be capped, with their mental property rights and all? We’re truly making the present and placing our lives in danger, as a result of in the long run we do. So to me, that is utterly improper.”
F1’s prime 5 earners in 2022 are reported at a look:
Max Verstappen – $60 million
Lewis Hamilton – $55 million
Fernando Alonso – $30 million
Sergio Perez – $26 million
Charles Leclerc – $23 million
[Source: Forbes]
PlanetF1.com recommends
Revealed: The staggering numbers each driver should pay to enter F1 2023
F1 Entry Price: Why do new groups should pay a whopping $200m entry charge?
F1 social media: Which F1 drivers have the largest on-line following?
NASCAR wage – $4.5m common (£3.7m)
Though higher-paid stars like Kyle Busch earn a better wage than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, drivers heading to the again of the NASCAR grid cannot anticipate to earn a wage within the F1 world.
NASCAR is a staple of the distinctive sporting tradition of the US, with a proud all-American historical past. It’s the youngest of the most important sports activities in the US, after billion greenback industries NFL, NHL and NBA.
On condition that the sequence lacks the worldwide attain of F1 – other than uncommon breakout moments like Ross Chastain’s Superior Trip On The Wall – And it’s hardly acknowledged in some US states, nonetheless some huge cash to go round.
NASCAR is contested by twice as many drivers on the F1 grid, together with some part-time opponents who earn properly underneath $1 million.
Nonetheless, all of NASCAR’s prime 5 winners reply over $9 million with $16.9 million from two-time champion Busch.
He’s joined by Busch Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin ($13.1) and Martin Truex Jr. ($10.4 million) among the many prime 4 money-makers.
NASCAR’s prime 5 employers in 2022 reported at a look:
Kyle Bush – $16.9 million
Denny Hamlin – $13.1 million
Kevin Harvick – $10.9 million
Martin Truex Jr. – $10.4 million
Brad Keselowski – $9.4 million
[Source: Flow Racers]
IndyCar – $750,000 common (£616,000)
Whereas System 1 stars like Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Daniil Kvyat have dabbled in NASCAR, the extra common various is IndyCar.
The previous F1 star earns the largest wage in IndyCar now, too. Marcus Ericsson, who has had 4 unremarkable F1 seasons with Caterham and Sauber and triumphed on the Indy 500 in 2022, has netted $3.1 million within the North American sequence.
Though IndyCar’s reputation has been on the rise previously decade – whereas NASCAR viewership declined in 2010 solely to bulk up since 2020 – it nonetheless dwarfs the inventory racing sequence on all main metrics.
IndyCar presents a better minimal wage than NASCAR, with its least costly drivers incomes $300,000 yearly in comparison with its opponents’ $200,000.
Solely two drivers make six IndyCar figures, with 23-year-old Arrow McLaren star Pato O’Ward taking residence $1 million. Scott Dixon ($707,000), Felix Rosenqvist ($570,500) and $569,600) full the highest 5 earners.
IndyCar’s prime 5 employers in 2022 are reported at a look:
Marcus Ericsson – $3.1 million
Patou Award – $1 million
Scott Dixon – $707,000
Felix Rosenqvist – $570,500
Alex Ballou – $569,600
[Source: Flow Racers]