The Difference In Salary Between Current F1 Drivers Is Astounding

Fernando Alonso has retained his spot as the highest paid driver in Formula 1, but is now joined by team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel.

The driver salaries for the 2014 F1 grid - compiled and released by Business Book GP2014 - reveals that the top trio will all earn €22 million this season, which represents an increase of €2 million, a massive €19 million and €10 million for each driver respectively when compared to 2013.

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton remains on €20 million for his second year at Mercedes, which is €4 million more than his former team-mate Jenson Button will earn in 2014 at McLaren. Nico Rosberg is on €12 million.

Felipe Massa’s move from Ferrari to Williams comes with a €4 million pay cheque, with Nico Hulkenberg earning the same amount at Force India. Sergio Perez’s salary has doubled to €3 million in 2014 despite being dropped by McLaren and switching to Force India.

Both Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado will pocket €3 million at Lotus, while rookie Kevin Magnussen is on a €1 million salary at McLaren.

Valtteri Bottas has seen his salary increase to €1 million (from €400,000) for 2014. Meanwhile Red Bull Racing star Daniel Ricciardo, who has won two races this season, will earn €750,000 this season - the same figure as his former Toro Rosso team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne.

Jules Bianchi’s salary is €500,000 for 2014, with Sauber’s Esteban Gutierrez on €400,000 and Toro Rosso rookie Daniil Kvyat on €250,000. Max Chilton will earn €200,000 this season, while Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson complete the salary grid with a measly €150,000 respectively.