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British Formula One (F1) racing icon Lewis Hamilton, representing Mercedes-AMG Petronas, is on track to conclude the current season with a staggering $35 million in earnings, pushing his total career income to a remarkable $512.16 million. In doing so, Hamilton joins an elite circle of athletes boasting career earnings exceeding half a billion dollars.
Hamilton‘s rise to this milestone is attributed to his dual success on and off the racetrack, as he has garnered a global fan base, not only for his prowess on the F1 circuit but also for his high-profile lifestyle that resonates with audiences beyond the sport’s traditional fanbase.
Estimates suggest that Hamilton’s career earnings could eclipse the $600 million threshold by 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of his current contract extension. Initially set to expire at the end of the 2023 season, both Hamilton and teammate George Russell have inked extensions that will keep them with Mercedes until 2025.
In the current 2023 F1 season, which commenced with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5 and concludes in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 26, Hamilton is projected to amass $35 million from his race winnings.
Forbes estimates that his overall earnings for the year, combining race earnings with endorsements, deals, and business ventures, are likely to reach $65 million, solidifying his status as one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Tale of the tape: Lewis Hamilton’s career highlights
Hamilton’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including his first championship with McLaren in 2008. Remarkably, he has secured each of his subsequent six titles under the Mercedes banner, dominating the sport in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
With 103 career race wins, Hamilton stands as the most successful driver in F1 history, surpassing the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 victories, with Sebastian Vettel trailing at 53 wins.
Notably, from 2014 to 2021, Hamilton consistently finished either first or second in the season standings, except for a narrow loss to Max Verstappen in 2021. However, Verstappen repeated as the champion in 2022, and Hamilton faced his career’s lowest standing, finishing sixth.
Despite not securing a race victory in 2022 and struggling in the current season, with no wins in 18 races, Hamilton has managed to climb to third place in the standings. A recent setback occurred on Sun., Oct. 22, when Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from his second-place finish at the United States Grand Prix.
His Mercedes failed a physical floor and plank wear inspection, revealing excessive wear on the plank underneath the car. Charles Leclerc faced a similar disqualification, finishing sixth, due to the same infraction.
