Recently Forbes released its list of the world’s 100 highest paid athletes for the year. Eight motorsport personalities made it onto the list. Recognise them?
1) Fernando Alsonso
This two-time Formula One champion has raced close to 200 races, currently holds a race seat at Scuderia Ferrari, and is leading the 2012 drivers championship.
Salary/winnings: $29 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Total earnings: $32 million
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2) Valentino Rossi
One of the most successful MotoGP racers of all time, Rossi has won nine championships. He has close to 80 race wins to his name and currently races for Ducati. He will return to Yamaha for the 2013 and 2014 seasons after leaving there at the end of 2010.
Salary/winnings: $17 million
Endorsements: $13 million
Total earnings: $30 million
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3) Michael Schumacher
Despite failing to make much of an impact since returning to Formula One in 2010, Michael Schumacher remains one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. He has smashed many F1 records and is currently the most decorated driver. Schumacher will retire (again) at the end of the current F1 season.
Salary/winnings: $20 million
Endorsements: $10 million
Total earnings: $30 million
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4) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This American stock car racing driver currently races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports.
Salary/winnings: $13.2 million
Endorsements: $15 million
Total earnings: $28.2 million
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5) Lewis Hamilton
Currently one of the most well-known F1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton is a championship winning driver and currently races for McLaren but will switch to Mercedes AMG from next year.
Salary/winnings: $25 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Total earnings: $28 million
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6) Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordan has won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship four times and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500. He has 86 career wins behind his name and has the most NASCAR wins in the modern era (1972-present).
Salary/winnings: $13.6 million
Endorsements: $10 million
Total earnings: $23.6 million
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7) Tony Stewart
Both a racing driver and a racing team owner, Tony Stewart is well-known on the American auto racing scene. He races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Salary/winnings: $15.3 million
Endorsements: $7 million
Total earnings: $22.3 million
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8) Jimmie Johnson
Another NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver on the list, Jimmie Johnson has won the Driver of the Year four times and was voted Forbes.com’s Most Influential Athletes list for 2011 and 2012.
Salary/winnings: $14.5 million
Endorsements: $7 million
Total earnings: $21.5 million