Aug.20 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is by far the highest paid active grand prix driver, according to reports in the Spanish press.
The El Mundo report, citing information from Business Book GP, compiled a list showing that Alonso's annual Ferrari retainer - excluding external endorsements - is EUR 30 million.That is almost double the next largest retainer, owned by 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, at 16 million, although it is believed Kimi Raikkonen is being paid a similar amount this year due to Ferrari's breach of contract.Felipe Massa comes in at third with 14m, meaning the Brazilian is paid less than half the income of his Ferrari teammate.Reigning world champion Jenson Button is reportedly paid EUR 9 million; significantly less than his McLaren teammate, but more than seven time world champion Michael Schumacher (8m).Mercedes also pays Nico Rosberg EUR 8 million, which is marginally more than Robert Kubica's 7.5m.Interestingly, Rubens Barrichello (5.5m) earns more than Mark Webber (4.2m), but Sebastian Vettel's 2010 retainer is reportedly just 2 million.According to the list, Red Bull's Vettel is therefore paid less than Lotus driver Jarno Trulli (3m), and approximately the same as Trulli's teammate Heikki Kovalainen.Timo Glock earns 1 million by driving for Virgin; more than the EUR 700,000 reportedly paid to Williams rookie Nico Hulkenberg.Also earning less than 1 million are the Sauber drivers (500,000 each), Vitaly Petrov, Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi (400,000), and the Force India drivers and Lucas di Grassi (200,000).Bruno Senna is reportedly the lowest paid active driver, with a 150,000 retainer; 200 times less than Alonso.
