Kimi Raikkonen might never top the number of victories or world championships won by Michael Schumacher.
But he's taken a giant leap toward perhaps one day surpassing the retired Ferrari ace as the highest-paid driver in the history of Formula One.
Raikkonen, who left McLaren after five seasons to take over Schumacher's seat at Ferrari, reportedly will earn $51 million US this season. That's a huge jump from the estimated $15 million US he made last year.
Schumacher, a seven-time world champ who retired at the end of last season, was the highest-paid F1 driver ever at $62.4 million. He made at least another $17 million from personal endorsements and merchandising
Only golfer Tiger Woods ($100 million) made more money than Schumacher.
As was the case for Schumacher, Raikkonen's salary at Ferrari is footed by principal team sponsor Phillip Morris. The 27-year-old Finn's contract allows him to augment his earnings with commercial endorsements, something he was not permitted to do while with McLaren.
F1 driver salaries are the most closely guarded secret in the sport, but in an expose titled The Real Cost Of F1 in the March issue of F1 Racing, the magazine listed estimated annual salaries of the 10 highest-paid drivers this season.
- No. 1: Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, $51 million U.S.
- No. 2: Ralf Schumacher, Toyota, $25 million.
- No. 3: Fernando Alonso, reigning world champion, McLaren, $22 million.
- No. 4: Jenson Button, Honda, $18 million.
- No. 5: Rubens Barrichello, Honda, $12 million.
- No. 6: Jarno Trulli, Toyota, $10 million.
- No. 7: Felipe Massa, Ferrari, $8 million.
- No. 8: Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault, $7 million.
- No. 9: Mark Webber, Red Bull, $5 million.
- No. 10. Takuma Sato, Super Aguri, $4.5 million.
Welcome
Guests: 588
Hidden: 0
Users: 0
