Recently, there has been a growing discussion about the exorbitant salaries of Formula 1 drivers. Some teams even proposed the implementation of a salary cap, similar to the driver salary cost cap. However, their suggestion seemed insignificant, as two drivers secured positions on the list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of 2024. Surprisingly, the current world champion was left out of the top 20.
Annually, Forbes publishes a list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. Soccer players traditionally dominate this highly anticipated list, and this trend continued in 2024. The highest-paid athlete, with earnings exceeding $260 million, was a soccer player.
However, Formula 1 drivers were not far behind the Portuguese legend. Max Verstappen ranked 17th on the list, accumulating an impressive total of $81 million. While the 26-year-old driver secured a spot in the top 20, fans noticed that he had surpassed Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion.
During the era of turbo hybrid engines, the 39-year-old British driver dominated Formula 1 in every aspect. However, since the introduction of new regulations, his luck has not been as favorable. Hamilton ranked 21st, with total earnings of $69 million.
Despite receiving a substantial salary from the team, there have been rumors that Verstappen is considering a move to another team on the grid. However, amidst all the speculation, he has consistently expressed his loyalty to Red Bull.
Former Formula 1 driver, Chandhok, has presented an intriguing suggestion about Verstappen’s future in the sport. The Indian driver believes that Verstappen should stay at Red Bull next season and take a sabbatical year in 2026, following in the footsteps of former world champions.
However, there is no certainty that the current champion would choose to return to Formula 1 if he decided to take a sabbatical year. Furthermore, he has previously mentioned his interest in exploring other forms of racing when he retires from the sport. If this possibility were to become a reality, it would have a profound impact on the world of Formula 1 and would be considered a crucial moment in the extensive history of the series.
