Alonso best paid driver in motor sport - Forbes

Fernando Alonso has emerged as clearly the highest earning driver in the entire world of motor racing.

The authoritative business magazine Forbes said the Ferrari driver earns $30 million per year, of which $2 million is made up of personal endorsements.

In second place is another F1 driver, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who reportedly makes $27.5 million per year, followed by Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt jr, with $26m.

Another American, Jimmie Johnson, is next best with his $24 million, trailed by MotoGP veteran Valentino Rossi ($22m), and yet another Nascar star Tony Stewart ($18.5m).

According to Forbes, F1’s reigning triple world champion and 2013 title leader Sebastian Vettel makes $18 million per year, slightly less than Nascar’s Jeff Gordon.

And female driver Danica Patrick is not far behind Vettel with her $15 million, which is more than the $14m reportedly earned by McLaren’s Jenson Button.