F1 star Daniel Ricciardo's move to French team Renault raised eyebrows in the off-season, but his new salary has turned heads in a sport not shy about its stratospheric star driver contracts.
The 29-year-old signed a deal worth a reported $49 million a year for the French team, a significant increase on his previous salary. He has almost tripled his salary from Red Bull, and it cements the Perth native's status as one of Australia's best-paid athletes.It also eclipses the wage of his former teammate, Max Verstappen, who will"only" earn $18.43 million this season with Red Bull.
Ricciardo moved to Renault in the off-season after the relationship between he and Verstappen broke down, with the Australian feeling as though he was being edged out by the status of secondary driver.Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul said in an interview in January that the team hadn't paid"stupid money" for Ricciardo, but had made a"considerable financial commitment".
Abiteboul told reporters at the team's pre-season testing that Ricciardo could be the spark needed to ignite the team on the track.
Lotsa money to drive a shit car😐 At least he is the principal driver. Max V at Red Bull is a tosser but the right nationality 🤔
Good example of a sport where males and females can earn the same.
Obscene amounts of money!