Glitz, glamour, world stars, high speed and excitement: when the Formula 1 circus is a guest on the world’s racetracks, entertainment has been guaranteed for some time now. So it’s no wonder that the stars of the scene rake in a lot of money in the pockets of their racing suits. Those who are not lucky enough to sit in the cockpit can only dream of it.
While superstar Lewis Hamilton should collect an astronomical 36 million euros, world champion Max Verstappen 25 million euros, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner nine million euros or newcomer Mick Schumacher at least half a million euros per season, the “Sport Bild” reveals that the Workers in the background of this wealth are galaxies away.
“My salary is actually exploitation,” the sports magazine quotes, for example, a parking attendant who was fobbed off at six euros an hour at the Barcelona Grand Prix. Employees of the security service (10 euros per hour) or service staff and hostesses (15 euros per hour) don’t get much of the glamor of F1.
What is really surprising, however, is the salary that “Sport Bild” discloses for the jobs that supposedly form the basis of the success of the racing teams.
Potential lifesavers for free
According to this, the mechanics collect around 50,000 euros per year, which seems rather manageable in view of the enormous stress on the journey and the hard work. The logisticians, who bear an extreme responsibility, should come to around 45,000 euros per year.
Others involved are even left out completely or almost completely empty: According to the report, the race stewards only receive an expense allowance, the same applies to the track marshals who, in extreme cases, even fight for the lives of the drivers as first aiders.
The engineers and physiotherapists (on average 80,000 euros per year) as well as the race director duo Nils Wittich and Eduardo Freitas (150,000 euros per year) make ends meet much better.