THE REAL SALARY OF TV STARS
George William Russell, his full name, was born on February 15, 1998 in King’s Lynn, England. After having climbed the ranks in karting, where all the young motor sports enthusiasts pass, he became a professional pilot in 2014. Now established in Formula 1, he has one of the biggest salaries in the paddock.
The beginnings George Russell a Formula 1
One year younger than Charles Leclerc, the famous Monegasque Ferrari driver, George Russell made his Formula 1 debut during the 2019 season. At the wheel of the Williams car, the Englishman will quickly establish himself as one of the most talented drivers in the world. But the British team is slow to trust him. It is only in 2021 that George Russell is finally indisputable.
This year, he also scored the first podium of his career in Formula 1, during the Belgian Grand Prix, on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The following year, he moves into a new dimension by joining Mercedesone of the best teams in the world. He became the teammate of Lewis Hamilton, who according to some rumors had a secret affair with the singer Shakira.
The difficulties of joining F1
Formula 1 is a particularly elite sport. To hope to be one of the 20 drivers who can have the honor of competing in the Grands Prix each season, you must have talent, of course, but also a large element of luck. Nicolas Hamilton, the brother of the British driver, can attest to this. He failed to emulate his big brother’s career.
Generally, from a very young age, the most precocious drivers are immediately spotted by sponsors. As was the case with George Russell. Because to drive a single-seater with the power of Formula 1, you have to have a lot of money to spend each year. Some athletes are sometimes ruined at the end of their career. Fortunately, others manage to cope better like former tennis player Yannick Noah.
George Russell’s gargantuan salary
If George Russell manages to be like Iga Świątek, the highest paid tennis player in the world, he shouldn’t have too many problems managing his money properly. Because the 26-year-old pilot is very well paid. For the 2024 season, his salary is estimated at $18 million according to Australian media Man of Many. A sum which is therefore around 16.5 million euros.
And the Englishman has significant personal costs to ensure his presence in Formula 1 like the price of the license, its fees remain very high, even for a high-level athlete. For comparison, before retiring, French handball player Nikola Karabatic, who won three Olympic medals, earned 1.7 million euros per year.
An incredible season with an increase?
The 2024 season is undoubtedly the best of George Russell’s career. In 2022, after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix at the José Carlos Pace circuit, he finished the year in 4th place in the world championship. But this season, he is doing even better with two races won and exceptional consistency. Despite very tough competition, imposed in particular by one of its rivals Charles Leclerc, George Russell can still hope to finish on the podium.
There is no doubt that his performances are noticed in Formula 1. Which is a good thing for him, because he will perhaps be lucky enough to be able to renegotiate his contract with Mercedesin order to benefit from a better salary. He can certainly ask advice from Cristiano Ronaldo who holds one of the biggest contracts in the history of sport at Al Nassr, in Saudi Arabia.
