From Schumi to Raikkonen: The wealthiest Formula One drivers of all time

One of the perks of being a Formula One driver is the hefty paycheck that comes along with racing some of the fastest and most dangerous four-wheeled machines on Earth. Just how hefty? Wealth-X, which describes itself as a “global authority on wealth intelligence”, has just released a list of the top 10 richest F1 drivers of all time. Coasting comfortably into first place on the list is seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who has an estimated net worth of US$780 million. The retired German driver, who last raced for Mercedes in 2012, is currently recovering from a serious brain injury from a skiing accident in the French Alps in 2013. Schumacher was in a coma until June last year. He was released from the hospital and was brought back to his home last year, where he is being further rehabilitated. [caption id=“attachment_2158737” align=“alignleft” width=“450”]  Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher. Reuters[/caption] Schumacher’s wealth represents 43 percent of the combined net worth of all 10 men on the list, four of whom have retired from the sport. The current world champion Lewis Hamilton – who won last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix – came in fifth on the list with a personal fortune of US$110 million, behind fellow British driver Eddie Irvine, who is in fourth place with a fortune of $180 million. Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished second in last year’s world championship standings as well as in the recent Australian Grand Prix, took 10th place on the list with US$30 million. The youngest driver on the list is 27-year-old Sebastien Vettel, who has a net worth of US$45 million. The oldest is 60-year-old retired Frenchman Alain Prost, who has amassed a personal fortune of US$70 million. Below is the top 10 all-time F1 Driver Rich List: The Top Ten: 1 Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, 780, Retired 2 Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 220, Active 3 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 180, Active 4 Eddie Irvine, Jaguar, 180, Retired 5 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 110, Active 6 Jenson Button, McLaren, 100, Active 7 Alan Prost, Williams, 70, Retired 8 David Coulthard, Red Bull, 70, Retired 9 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 45, Active 10 Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 30, Active