Breaking down Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Ferrari salary

It was Nico Rosberg who welcomed Lewis Hamilton into the swanky, grey overalls of Mercedes in 2013; the move from McLaren was a shock to the world after the youngest person to ever win the Drivers’ World Championship had been crowned just 5 years earlier, but Hamilton said it was the right decision.

Engine regulation changes the following season proved him to be right, as the mid-table duo were propelled to the top of the standings, putting Mercedes where McLaren used to be and turning Hamilton’s top-tier reputation from that of potential to fact.

The duo won 51 of 59 Grands Prix from 2014 to 2016 and of the three seasons, Hamilton emerged victorious at the end in two, with the German pipping him to the latter trophy. Rosberg’s early retirement saw the challenger left alone, and from then on he turned the now waining debate of potential legendary status into an inarguable discussion.

Hamilton leaves Mercedes as one of the greatest ever

At Mercedes, Hamilton did it all, even catching up to the man himself Michael Schumacher, winning 7 World Championships. Formula 1 is not the same as it once was, but it’s not karting and Hamilton’s achievements, even given Mercedes' dominance during certain periods, wouldn’t have happened without extraordinary talent behind the wheel.

But all things come to an end and just as Hamilton waved goodbye to McLaren at the moment of his choosing, he will do the same with Mercedes. The Englishman will don Ferrari rosso for the upcoming season alongside Charles Leclerc in what will undoubtedly be a team - and potentially a rivalry - for the ages, one that will get disillusioned fans back in the game and keep those loyal glued to their screens.

Replacing Carlos Sainz, who will hop over to Williams-Mercedes, will not be an easy task, but Ferrari are clearly confident that the 39-year-old vegan can still perform at the top level, and there is no reason why not.

It’s an exciting proposition for Hamilton, as well, as Ferrari finished second in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, just 14 points behind his old pals at McLaren.

And for his work, Ferrari will pay him handsomely: while the exact figures are unknown, reports suggest that Lewis Hamilton will earn around $100 million when everything from salary, sponsors, image rights and bonuses are taken into account. This will make him the highest-paid Scuderia Ferrari driver of all time.

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