Fernando Alonso is by far the highest paid active grand prix driver, according to a Spanish media report.
Citing information from Business Book GP, Spanish newspaper El Mundo compiled a list showing that Alonso's annual Ferrari retainer, excluding external endorsements, is 30 million Euros ($38m). That is almost double the next-largest annual salary, for McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, which is given as 16m Euros ($20m), although it is believed Kimi Raikkonen is being paid a similar amount this year by Ferrari for its buyout of the 2008 World Champion's contract. Felipe Massa comes in at third at 14m Euros ($18m).
Reigning World Champion Jenson Button is reportedly paid $11 million; significantly less than his McLaren teammate, but more than his replacement at Brawn/Mercedes, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher ($10m). Mercedes also pays Nico Rosberg $10m, marginally more than Robert Kubica's $9.5m.
Williams' Rubens Barrichello ($7m) is reported as earning more than Red Bull's Mark Webber ($5.3m), while his teammate Sebastian Vettel's 2010 retainer is reportedly just $2.5m.