Lewis Hamilton is motorsports' richest driver here's how he makes and spends his millions
![Lewis Hamilton is motorsports' richest driver — here's how he makes and spends his millions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-95326676%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-588398%2Flewis-hamilton-is-motorsportsapos-richest-driver-ampmdash-hereaposs-how-he-makes-and-spends-his-millions.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
- Lewis Hamilton is the biggest star in motorsports and takes home $57 million a year from his Mercedes contract.
- He is one of the best drivers of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher on a record seven Formula One world titles.
- As the only Black driver in F1 history, he has used his voice to promote equality and has campaigned for other issues, such as LGTBQ+ equality and environmental concerns.
- Hamilton's success on the track has earned him millions, making him the 17th highest-paid athlete in the world.
Sam Cooper contributed to an earlier version of this post.
Hamilton is the biggest and highest-paid star in Formula One. He signed a new deal with his current Mercedes in 2021, which Forbes estimated earned the British star $57 million in 2022.
![Hamilton is the biggest and highest-paid star in Formula One. He signed a new deal with his current Mercedes in 2021, which Forbes estimated earned the British star $57 million in 2022.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326761,width-700,height-525,imgsize-381104/hamilton-is-the-biggest-and-highest-paid-star-in-formula-one-he-signed-a-new-deal-with-his-current-mercedes-in-2021-which-forbes-estimated-earned-the-british-star-57-million-in-2022-.jpg)
Hamilton is the star of F1. The Brit has been racing since 2007. Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Source: Forbes
The 7-time champion still takes in more than his top rival, Max Verstappen. The 2021 champion makes $46 million per year on the track.
![The 7-time champion still takes in more than his top rival, Max Verstappen. The 2021 champion makes $46 million per year on the track.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326759,width-700,height-525,imgsize-262320/the-7-time-champion-still-takes-in-more-than-his-top-rival-max-verstappen-the-2021-champion-makes-46-million-per-year-on-the-track-.jpg)
Lewis Hamilton (left) and Max Verstappen have been portrayed as bitter rivals. Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Source: Forbes
Hamilton also takes in an estimated $8 million in endorsements annually.
![Hamilton also takes in an estimated $8 million in endorsements annually.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326758,width-700,height-525,imgsize-188612/hamilton-also-takes-in-an-estimated-8-million-in-endorsements-annually-.jpg)
The Mercedes team merchandise is also designed by Tommy Hilfiger John Keeble/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
He has lucrative deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, Puma, IWC, Sony, Bose, Bell Helmets, MV Augusta Motorcycles, Petronas, and Gran Turismo Sport.
![He has lucrative deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, Puma, IWC, Sony, Bose, Bell Helmets, MV Augusta Motorcycles, Petronas, and Gran Turismo Sport.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326757,width-700,height-525,imgsize-32212/he-has-lucrative-deals-with-tommy-hilfiger-monster-energy-puma-iwc-sony-bose-bell-helmets-mv-augusta-motorcycles-petronas-and-gran-turismo-sport-.jpg)
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Commercial YouTube/BenzTNT
Unsurprisingly for an F1 driver, Hamilton is a fan of cars. Cars reported to be included in his collection include a $1.2 million McLaren P1, two $1.6 million Ferrari LaFerraris, and a $2.7 million Mercedes-AMG Project One.
![Unsurprisingly for an F1 driver, Hamilton is a fan of cars. Cars reported to be included in his collection include a $1.2 million McLaren P1, two $1.6 million Ferrari LaFerraris, and a $2.7 million Mercedes-AMG Project One.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326751,width-700,height-525,imgsize-140988/unsurprisingly-for-an-f1-driver-hamilton-is-a-fan-of-cars-cars-reported-to-be-included-in-his-collection-include-a-1-2-million-mclaren-p1-two-1-6-million-ferrari-laferraris-and-a-2-7-million-mercedes-amg-project-one-.jpg)
Instagram/lewishamilton
His collection is not just limited to Mercedes either. Cars reported to be included in his collection include a $1.15 million McLaren P1, two $1.56 million Ferrari LaFerraris, and a $2.72 million Mercedes-AMG Project One.
He also used to own a custom-made Pagani Zonda. However, Hamilton reportedly wanted to cut back on his carbon footprint, so he sold the car for $10 million.
![He also used to own a custom-made Pagani Zonda. However, Hamilton reportedly wanted to cut back on his carbon footprint, so he sold the car for $10 million.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326744,width-700,height-525,imgsize-62954/he-also-used-to-own-a-custom-made-pagani-zonda-however-hamilton-reportedly-wanted-to-cut-back-on-his-carbon-footprint-so-he-sold-the-car-for-10-million-.jpg)
YouTube/ExoticCarSpotter
Source: Motor
But as Hamilton has become more environmentally conscious, his daily car of choice is the electric Mercedes-AMG EQS with a base price of $102,000.
![But as Hamilton has become more environmentally conscious, his daily car of choice is the electric Mercedes-AMG EQS with a base price of $102,000.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326739,width-700,height-525,imgsize-59192/but-as-hamilton-has-become-more-environmentally-conscious-his-daily-car-of-choice-is-the-electric-mercedes-amg-eqs-with-a-base-price-of-102000-.jpg)
Mercedes
Source: Vanity Fair
It's not just road cards either. Hamilton has described himself as a "motorhead" and enjoys posting to his Instagram pictures of him with his latest vehicle of choice including this off-road buggy.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326734,width-700,height-525,imgsize-191738/itaposs-not-just-road-cards-either-hamilton-has-described-himself-as-a-quotmotorheadquot-and-enjoys-posting-to-his-instagram-pictures-of-him-with-his-latest-vehicle-of-choice-including-this-off-road-buggy-.jpg)
Instagram/LewisHamilton
He also spent $4 million on a 90-foot Sunseeker yacht, which is typically docked in Monaco.
![He also spent $4 million on a 90-foot Sunseeker yacht, which is typically docked in Monaco.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326730,width-700,height-525,imgsize-328834/he-also-spent-4-million-on-a-90-foot-sunseeker-yacht-which-is-typically-docked-in-monaco-.jpg)
Twitter/Sunseeker
Source: The Sports Rush
In 2017, Hamilton shared video of himself partying in Monaco aboard the much larger 270-foot Alfa Nero yacht.
![In 2017, Hamilton shared video of himself partying in Monaco aboard the much larger 270-foot Alfa Nero yacht.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326727,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29036/in-2017-hamilton-shared-video-of-himself-partying-in-monaco-aboard-the-much-larger-270-foot-alfa-nero-yacht-.jpg)
IG/LewisHamilton
When he's not driving, Hamilton can relax and unwind in one of his four reported properties. Hamilton owns a $43 million New York penthouse, a $24 million London mansion, and houses in Geneva and the racing drivers' favorite, Monte Carlo.
![When he](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326720,width-700,height-525,imgsize-51252/when-heaposs-not-driving-hamilton-can-relax-and-unwind-in-one-of-his-four-reported-properties-hamilton-owns-a-43-million-new-york-penthouse-a-24-million-london-mansion-and-houses-in-geneva-and-the-racing-driversapos-favorite-monte-carlo-.jpg)
Hamilton owns an apartment in New York Bryn Lennon/Getty Images and Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
Source: The UK Sun
He also used to own a £16.5 million ($22.5 million) private jet but sold it in 2019.
![He also used to own a £16.5 million ($22.5 million) private jet but sold it in 2019.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326718,width-700,height-525,imgsize-30116/he-also-used-to-own-a-xa316-5-million-22-5-million-private-jet-but-sold-it-in-2019-.jpg)
Twitter/Lewis Hamilton
Read more: Business Insider
Hamilton is into his fashion and is often pictured arriving at the track in an array of designer clothing.
![Hamilton is into his fashion and is often pictured arriving at the track in an array of designer clothing.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326717,width-700,height-525,imgsize-81210/hamilton-is-into-his-fashion-and-is-often-pictured-arriving-at-the-track-in-an-array-of-designer-clothing-.jpg)
Hamilton is known for his outfit choices on the way to the track Bryn Lennon/Getty Images and Lars Baron/Getty Images
He recently joined Zendaya as one of the faces of Valentino's PP Pink campaign.
![He recently joined Zendaya as one of the faces of Valentino](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326714,width-700,height-525,imgsize-71096/he-recently-joined-zendaya-as-one-of-the-faces-of-valentinoaposs-pp-pink-campaign-.jpg)
Twitter/Valentino
In addition to fashion, Hamilton also poke to Vanity Fair recently about expanding his business empire away from the track.
![In addition to fashion, Hamilton also poke to Vanity Fair recently about expanding his business empire away from the track.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326712,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29876/in-addition-to-fashion-hamilton-also-poke-to-vanity-fair-recently-about-expanding-his-business-empire-away-from-the-track-.jpg)
Vanity Fair
One of his interests is "planet-friendly start-ups." This includes expanding his London-based vegan restaurant Neat Burger to the United States with new partner Leonardo DiCaprio.
![One of his interests is "planet-friendly start-ups." This includes expanding his London-based vegan restaurant Neat Burger to the United States with new partner Leonardo DiCaprio.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326711,width-700,height-525,imgsize-63770/one-of-his-interests-is-quotplanet-friendly-start-ups-quot-this-includes-expanding-his-london-based-vegan-restaurant-neat-burger-to-the-united-states-with-new-partner-leonardo-dicaprio-.jpg)
Twitter
Source: Vanity Fair
He is also taking on Hollywood, having recently signed on as a producer for an F1 movie for Apple TV starring Brad Pitt.
![He is also taking on Hollywood, having recently signed on as a producer for an F1 movie for Apple TV starring Brad Pitt.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326710,width-700,height-525,imgsize-130538/he-is-also-taking-on-hollywood-having-recently-signed-on-as-a-producer-for-an-f1-movie-for-apple-tv-starring-brad-pitt-.jpg)
Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, and Tim Cook. Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Source: Planet F1
Hamilton was also announced as one of several big-name investors in TMRW Sports, a sports, media, and entertainment company started by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
![Hamilton was also announced as one of several big-name investors in TMRW Sports, a sports, media, and entertainment company started by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326707,width-700,height-525,imgsize-16304/hamilton-was-also-announced-as-one-of-several-big-name-investors-in-tmrw-sports-a-sports-media-and-entertainment-company-started-by-tiger-woods-and-rory-mcilroy-.jpg)
Jamie Squire/Getty
Source: TMRW Sports
He was also recently announced as a new minority owner for the NFL's Denver Broncos.
![He was also recently announced as a new minority owner for the NFL](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326705,width-700,height-525,imgsize-101964/he-was-also-recently-announced-as-a-new-minority-owner-for-the-nflaposs-denver-broncos-.jpg)
Twitter/Denver Broncos
While the season itself can be intense, Formula One drivers do get down time and Hamilton chooses to spend his vacationing in an array of exotic locales.
![While the season itself can be intense, Formula One drivers do get down time and Hamilton chooses to spend his vacationing in an array of exotic locales.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326702,width-700,height-525,imgsize-134050/while-the-season-itself-can-be-intense-formula-one-drivers-do-get-down-time-and-hamilton-chooses-to-spend-his-vacationing-in-an-array-of-exotic-locales-.jpg)
IG/LewisHamilton
During the 2022 summer break, Hamilton took a "humbling" and "grounding" trip to Africa.
![During the 2022 summer break, Hamilton took a "humbling" and "grounding" trip to Africa.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326701,width-700,height-525,imgsize-69834/during-the-2022-summer-break-hamilton-took-a-quothumblingquot-and-quotgroundingquot-trip-to-africa-.jpg)
Instagram/LewisHamilton
He is also a big fan of going fast on the water, like some time he recently spent with MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo.
![He is also a big fan of going fast on the water, like some time he recently spent with MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326699,width-700,height-525,imgsize-47346/he-is-also-a-big-fan-of-going-fast-on-the-water-like-some-time-he-recently-spent-with-motogp-rider-fabio-quartararo-.jpg)
IG/LewisHamilton
The one Hamilton spoils the most is probably Roscoe, his dog of 10 years that he calls his "best friend."
![The one Hamilton spoils the most is probably Roscoe, his dog of 10 years that he calls his "best friend."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326698,width-700,height-525,imgsize-127172/the-one-hamilton-spoils-the-most-is-probably-roscoe-his-dog-of-10-years-that-he-calls-his-quotbest-friend-quot.jpg)
IG/LewisHamilton
Hamilton is a proud advocate for causes he believes in and has shown he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He pledged $27 million to a charity called Project 44, which aims to empower young people from under-represented groups in the UK.
![Hamilton is a proud advocate for causes he believes in and has shown he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He pledged $27 million to a charity called Project 44, which aims to empower young people from under-represented groups in the UK.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326696,width-700,height-525,imgsize-81264/hamilton-is-a-proud-advocate-for-causes-he-believes-in-and-has-shown-he-is-willing-to-put-his-money-where-his-mouth-is-he-pledged-27-million-to-a-charity-called-project-44-which-aims-to-empower-young-people-from-under-represented-groups-in-the-uk-.jpg)
Getty/NurPhoto
Source: ESPN
Roscoe often travels with Hamilton to races and is probably one of the luckiest pups in the world. What a life.
![Roscoe often travels with Hamilton to races and is probably one of the luckiest pups in the world. What a life.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95326694,width-700,height-525,imgsize-286024/roscoe-often-travels-with-hamilton-to-races-and-is-probably-one-of-the-luckiest-pups-in-the-world-what-a-life-.jpg)
Roscoe joined Hamilton for celebrations when he won his seventh drivers' championship Clive Mason/Getty Images
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