The 2025 Formula One season is one of the much-awaited ones, as 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton will begin his stint with Ferrari. Hamilton joining Ferrari will mark one of the biggest unions in the history of the sporting world. The season will witness the most successful driver represent one of the most successful teams. Since the deal has received global recognition, it has also impacted the commercial side of things. Hamilton's onboarding has greatly elevated the stock price of the Italian Contractor. Moreover, it has also tweaked the earning of the Brit taking him past the current World Champion Max Verstappen's deal. With that Hamilton will retain the title of F1's highest paid driver.
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Lewis Hamilton To Supersede Max Verstappen in Earnings
Max Verstappen's deal with Red Bull, which he signed in 2022, guaranteed him a base salary of $60 million and $15 million in bonuses, as per a report by Forbes. Hamilton's current deal with Ferrari will take him past Verstappen. Per AS, Hamilton will fetch a whopping $100 million per annum, making him the highest-paid Formula One driver ever, let alone Ferrari's.
🚨| Forbes expects Lewis Hamilton to become the highest paid driver in Formula 1 in 2025, after his move to Ferrari, setting a new salary record above the $75m of Max Verstappen in 2024.
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) January 7, 2025
🤑 pic.twitter.com/Zt2K6V2PQl
While he is seemingly at the twilight of his career, yet, what he has achieved in the career span of almost two decades, the goodwill he brings, the popularity he holds, and of course the determination he carries for the game, all this adds makes his massive earnings justified. Moreover, as the sport has garnered immense growth in terms of popularity in recent years, the driver's salaries have only gone one way.
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When Will Lewis Hamilton Mark His Ferrari Debut?
He could have begun his Ferrari journey at the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, but the 7-time world champion was made to wait, and as certain obligations came in the way as explained by team principal Toto Wolff.
However, since his time with the Silver Arrows is officially over, the prolonged wait is also set to end. Reports suggest that Hamilton will most likely test an older-spec Ferrari F1 Car at their private test track in Fiorano later this month. He could be witnessed driving an SF-75 from January 20 to 25.