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Renault makes Alonso highest-paid driver, will earn $2.6 mil per race
Back in the 2005 and 2006 Formula One seasons, Fernando Alonso thoroughly trounced Michael Schumacher for the title. Since then, however, Alonso hasn't beaten many of Schumacher's records, but the two-time champion can now rest easy – in a big, solid gold chair – knowing that he's finally making more than Schumi.
Although finances in F1, as we've reported before, are secrets as closely guarded as technical breakthroughs, reports now indicate that Alonso's deal to return to Renault has made him the most highly-paid driver in or out of F1. If the reports are to be believed, Alonso will make $46 million this season. That's only from his contract with Renault and does not include assuredly lucrative sponsorship deals, and only stands if Alonso stays for a second year. The amount is a symbolic $1 million more than what arch-rival Kimi Raikkonen reportedly makes at Ferrari and more than double what his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton pulled in last year driving for McLaren. In fact, Hamilton reportedly resigned with McLaren for $138 million over the next five years, which breaks down to $27.6 million per year or $1.53 million per race in 2008. Alonso will be earning $2.55 million per race this year, and if renewed for next year will beat even the lucrative $86 million two-year offer Schumacher got to stay at Ferrari through 2008.
[Source: F1-Live, Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Seoultrain 3:35PM (2/20/2008)
holy crap! and I thought A-Rod was overpaid...
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Franz 3:40PM (2/20/2008)
Lucky bastard. If I were Flavio Briatore and the rest of Renault's top brass, he'd have to win some races this season before he got such a huge salary though. No wonder he acted like such a spoiled brat over at McLaren: He gets the royal treatment at Renault.
I dislike Fernando Alonso very much, but as a driver he's very, very good. One of the best there is in F1 currently. Is he worth $2.55 million a race? Obviously he does to Renault, but time will tell if he measures up in my book. I hope they do very well this season. The closer the competition, the better the races are to watch.
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Andrew 3:49PM (2/20/2008)
Alonso is a good driver and has proven himself on the track, it's too bad that all the off track drama has tainted his reputation. I have a feeling that a lot of it was out of his control and exasperated by the team owners and the media.
hashiryu 3:50PM (2/20/2008)
I thought Kimi was getting $50mil
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Richard 3:50PM (2/20/2008)
Yeah, but 4/5 of the world never heard of A-Rod.
Alonso is worth every penny. Just think, he'll make all that money and be able to blame not winning on the car!
That is brilliant!
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DA_U 5:31PM (2/20/2008)
i bet more have heard of A-Rod than Alonso.
CG 9:43AM (2/21/2008)
@ DA_U
Are you kidding me? F1 is second to soccer (and maybe cricket) as the most popular WORLD sport. Welcome to Earth!
Emeka Diribe 4:08PM (2/20/2008)
and i am here teaching school....
regret... regret... regret...
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Chairman Kaga 4:11PM (2/20/2008)
That's what, about 45K per lap?
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lankin 4:12PM (2/20/2008)
He never trounced Ferrari they had a bad year, Alonsohole had a good year and was lucky. Last half of what you hear about him is true, I've seen it with my own eyes. He's ungreatful to his fans and thinks he above all.
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pmiddle5 4:32PM (2/20/2008)
Iam ashamed of Briatore to consider that little bitch worth that much.... I dont understand how he fostered Kovalinen into a good enough driver to compete then he trades him away?
Idk I could go on and on regarding that subject... Damn wild driver politics.
I'd still do it for free and work a full time job on the side
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geo.stewart 4:38PM (2/20/2008)
I'll guarantee at least as much screen time for 1/2 the price.
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tpp 4:54PM (2/20/2008)
Lewis Hamilton resigned from McLaren!!!??? When!??
What team is he going to? Are they any seats left still?
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MK 5:38PM (2/20/2008)
Hamilton re-signed (extended his contract) with McLaren.
For a second, I thought the same thing when I read it.
ft 5:25PM (2/20/2008)
Hamilton re-signed, not resigned. He's still with McLaren
Apu 7:33PM (2/20/2008)
This is the second time that Autoblog used the word "resigned" in the wrong context. The first time was in the original story about Hamilton "resigning."
sebastian mejia 5:41PM (2/20/2008)
Good deal! That way, he would have some pocket change to take some English classes, cause his English is horrible.
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DIRETTORE 7:36PM (2/20/2008)
* Why doesnt Renault put all their F1 expertise to work to build a Hyper Car & give Ferrari a run for their money?
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Brett 9:22PM (2/20/2008)
who in their right mind would want a renault hypercar over a ferrari?
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Moon20 9:39PM (2/20/2008)
Alonso was overpaid...! Ya, he trounced Michael Schumacher for the title in the 2005 and 2006 Formula One seasons, but to look back the 2007 season, he still hasn't beaten many of Schumacher's records: http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=85222&ru=279 , Do you think in the 08 season Alonso will beat Kimi, Hamilton? Oh, that is kidding!!!
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