Sportico, a leading publication, released the list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in 2022; and it was an interesting one. Coming to the world of Formula 1, it seems like there has been a change of guard as Lewis Hamilton slips back.
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Last year, Lewis Hamilton cashed in a whopping $64 million in earnings and ranked at number 11. This year, however, fortunes have changed as he has had to drop back a bit. Compared to last year, he now makes $42 million, with endorsements bringing in $12 million; bringing the total to $54 million and putting him at 19 on the last.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing speaks with third placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
The reigning world champion, on the other hand, has moved up through the order quite a lot. Max Verstappen signed a new contract with his team, Oracle Red Bull Racing; that sees him staying at the Milton Keynes base until the end of 2028. This is the longest contract of any driver on the F1 grid currently.
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Max’s new salary of $39 million and the sponsorships cashing in $4 million, make him one of the richest young drivers. He even managed to move many places, ranking at 95 in 2021. He now sits at an incredible 30.
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When drivers race in Formula 1, it is no secret that they are paid a huge paycheck. Brand deals, sponsorship money, and most importantly, performance-based bonuses are some of the ways they add to their net worth. Performance-based bonuses may depend on factors such as race wins, scoring a certain amount of points, or even finishing above a certain position.
A tale of two champions: Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
For Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, the 2022 season has been a contrasting one.
While Max suffered a shocking retirement in the first round in Bahrain, Lewis went on to stand on the podium. Since then, the tables have turned. While the Red Bull RB18 is proving to be a constant top runner, the Mercedes W13 seems to be suffering from problems that have no immediate fix.
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Yes boys!!! 
Incredibly happy to win here in Miami 
No weekend is ever easy in F1, especially on a new demanding track like this one 
That’s why I am all the more proud we were able to put it all together in the end, great work team @redbullracing 
pic.twitter.com/BrIUJU7n9D
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) May 8, 2022
Max has managed to win two races so far, Lewis seems to be a long way off from the podium steps. Mercedes have yet to address the issue of porpoising on their car and the Miami upgrades seemed to have helped them to be a bit competitive. However, with reports that Barcelona could be a turning point as the Brackley-based outfit will be bringing a slew of upgrades, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
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Will Max win his second world title or will Lewis lift his eighth world title this year? It remains to be seen.
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