F1 prize money 2021: how much did world champion Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton earn after Abu Dhabi GP?

Max Verstappen clinched a maiden F1 World Championship title in dramatic fashion in Abu Dhabi
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton pictured prior to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Pic: Getty)Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton pictured prior to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Pic: Getty)
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton pictured prior to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Pic: Getty)

Lewis Hamilton looked set to register an eighth and record breaking number of drivers’ championship wins before the safety car intervened.

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Rising Red Bull star Max Verstappen chased down the British driver in an enthralling last lap, where the winner took the chequered flag and the 2021 crown.

Controversy ensued, with Mercedes lodging two appeals with the FIA only to see them turned down, while there continues to be outrage among the Formula 1 following.

This is how much Dutch driver Verstappen benefitted from winning in Abu Dhabi to secure his first F1 drivers’ championship - and how much Hamilton will still take home from this season.

How much did Max Verstappen earn?

Max Verstappen’s first ever Formula 1 World Championship is expected to pocket him an extra £12 million, according to reports in Marca.

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Verstappen’s performance behind the wheel through the 2021 F1 season will see his salary rise from around £19.6m to £31.5m, with a ninth GP win.

The bonus is expected to come in the way of contractual agreements and sponsorship opportunities rather than from F1 in terms of a ‘drivers’ fee’.

What has Max Verstappen said about winning his maiden championship?

Max Verstappen is set to receive his drivers’ title at the FIA gala on Thursday 16 December.

The Red Bull racer said on his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton: "In general I think we have really enjoyed it.

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"Of course we had our moments, but I think in a championship battle, that’s part of it. And now that the season is over, I think we can relax a little bit more about it – but it’s been tense.

"The competition, almost every race we have been pushing each other to the limit, within our cars as well. And I think that is just really nice to see."

How much did Lewis Hamilton earn?

Seven time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton not only missed out on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win, the 2021 drivers’ championship, but also a £4m bonus.

Hamilton had already made £47m from the 2021 F1 season prior to his final race.

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Reports have surfaced that Mercedes staff would have also shared a £17.5m bonus, equating to £10,000 each per person, if Hamilton had crossed the line first.

What has Lewis Hamilton said?

Just days after controversially losing out on a record eighth F1 world title, 36-year-old Lewis Hamilton will be knighted.

The Mercedes driver, and seven time world champion, is due to attend an investiture at Windsor Castle to be honoured for services to motorsports.

Speaking after the Abu Dhabi race, Hamilton said: "Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year.

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"Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons. I’m so proud of them and so grateful to be part of the journey with them.

"We gave it everything this last part of the season, we never gave up."

Who won the 2021 constructors’ championship?

Red Bull came second in the constructor standings after the final Abu Dhabi GP, with 585.5 points, behind Mercedes, who amassed 613.5 points.

  • Mercedes - 613.5
  • Red Bull Racing Honda - 585.5
  • Ferrari - 323.5
  • McLaren Mercedes - 275
  • Alpine Renault - 155
  • Alphatauri Honda - 142
  • Aston Martin Mercedes - 77
  • Williams Mercedes - 23
  • Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari - 13
  • Haas Ferrari - 0

The teams, including Mercedes and Red Bull, will benefit from a share in the profits of another successful F1 season, which generated the organisation £1.05 billion.

The winning team will pocket an extra £50m.

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