The 2020 Formula 1 season saw its gates close back in December with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Initially set to be a record breaking 22-race season, the event ended up being a 17-race season owing to the COVID pandemic.
The event saw three of the sport’s 20 full-time drivers missing time as a result of COVID but no one missed more than two races. Out of the initial 22-race schedule, only 9 races ended up being run in 2020.
Eventually, 8 more were added to compensate for the 13 casualties caused by the threat of COVID and restrictions that were imposed by governments across the globe.
Despite all the hindrances, how much money did each of the 20 full time competitors make? Let us take a look –
Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton: $40 million (1st overall)
- Valtteri Bottas: $8 million (T-6th overall)
- Team total: $48 million (1st overall)
Red Bull
- Max Verstappen: $25 million (3rd overall)
- Alexander Albon: $2.5 million (14th overall)
- Team total: $27.5 million (3rd overall)
McLaren
- Carlos Sainz Jr.: $8 million (T-6th overall)
- Lando Norris: $2 million (T-15th overall)
- Team total: $10 million (7th overall)
Racing Point
- Sergio Perez: $8 million (T-6th overall)
- Lance Stroll: $3 million (13th overall)
- Team total: $11 million (6th overall)
Renault
- Daniel Ricciardo: $20 million (4th overall)
- Esteban Ocon: $5 million (T-10th overall)
- Team total: $25 million (4th overall)
Ferrari
- Sebastian Vettel: $30 million (2nd overall)
- Charles Leclerc: $10 million (5th overall)
- Team total: $40 million (2nd overall)
AlphaTauri
- Pierre Gasly: $2 million (T-15th overall)
- Daniil Kvyat: $2 million (T-15th overall)
- Team total: $4 million (9th overall)
Alfa Romeo
- Kimi Raikkonen: $5 million (T-10th overall)
- Antonio Giovinazzi: $1 million (T-18th overall)
- Team total: $6 million (5th overall)
Haas
- Romain Grosjean: $7 million (9th overall)
- Kevin Magnussen: $5 million (T-10th overall)
- Team total: $12 million (8th overall)
Williams
- George Russell: $1 million (T-18th overall)
- Nicholas Latifi: $1 million (T-18th overall)
- Team total: $2 million (10th overall)
Out of the 20 drivers, only 12 are going to return to the same teams for 2020.
For instance, Sergio Perez has replaced Alexander Albon at Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel has replaced Perez at Racing Point (rebranded as Aston Martin). Vettel has been replaced by Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari. Daniel Ricciardo has replaced Sainz at McLaren. At Renault (rebranded as Alpine), Fernando Alonso has replaced Ricciardo.
At the same time, Daniil Kvyat has been replaced by Yuki Tsunoda At AlphaTauri. Hass on the other hand has overhauled their lineup by bringing in Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin to replace Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.
2021 will see a record breaking 23-race season which has commenced with the Bahrain International Circuit.
Who do you think will claim the podium this season? Let us know in the comments below!
Read More: Ricciardo promotion destroyed Vettel’s career: Former F1 driver explains the connection