THE thrilling 2021 Formula One season comes to a close this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton will be desperate to get his hands on a record eighth crown after fighting back to draw level on points with rival Max Verstappen.
But even if he doesn't win the title, the British star, 36, comfortably tops the rich list.
In 2021, Hamilton has earned a staggering £47million in wages, bonuses and add-ons, according to Forbes.
The Mercedes star earns £40m in wages and is said to have raked in £7m in bonuses this year – with another £4m on the way if he wins the title, SunSport understands.
That's miles ahead of second-placed Verstappen, whose £32m pales in comparison.
Veteran star Fernando Alonso (£19m) comes in third thanks to his sky-high wages at Alpine.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez (£14m) and Aston Martin racer Sebastian Vettel (£11m) complete the top five.
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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc (£9m) sits ahead of Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas (£8m).
That means Hamilton earned a staggering £39m MORE than Bottas this year alone.
McLaren pair Daniel Ricciardo (£8m) and Lando Norris (£7m) join Ferrari's Carlos Sainz (£6m) in completing the top ten.
But for now it's all eyes on Abu Dhabi as Hamilton and Verstappen go toe-to-toe one last time with the title on the line.
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