Athletes are people whose incomes are counted in the millions in the case of the most reputable, as could be the case of Formula 1, and if someone stands out within the paddock of the highest category of motorsports in financial terms, that is Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion is one of the best paid in the Grand Circus, and he pockets nearly 50 million euros a year thanks to his contract with the Mercedes team, plus another 6 optional bonuses, so the total amount amounts to about 56 million according to Forbes, not counting sponsorships outside of sport.
For this reason, the Englishman is placed in second position on the grid of those who earn the most, only behind Max Verstappen and his colossal agreement with Red Bull until the end of 2028 and his nearly 65 million euros per year.
However, Hamilton seems to be a person concerned with social issues, something that we have already seen in his repeated messages against homophobia, about the fight against climate change or racism, and now there is one more reason to thank his side more generous.
In a list published by the Sunday Times , he is the fifth with the most amount of money donated in the year 2022 in relation to what he earns, and he is ahead only by Sir Chris Hohn, Alan Parker, Sir Paul Marshall and Lord Edmiston . To get there, the Mercedes driver has made donations worth close to 20 million pounds sterling (more than 23 million euros at current exchange rates), which translates into almost 7% of his total wealth. annual estimated at about 350 million euros.
Lewis Hamilton has donated this sum to issues related to education, employment and youth, something that could be inferred from his statements directed towards children so that they always pursue their dream of getting where they want, as he did to become the most successful driver of all time in Formula 1.
However, he is not the only athlete to appear on this list, as Liverpool football player Mohamed Salah has also donated 2.5 million pounds (almost 3 million euros in exchange), so, with his benefits for each year, correspond to a little more than 6% that has been given to health issues.
Criticism of the British pilot may be more or less unfair, either because of his way of being or acting, but what is undeniable is that he has made a great effort to help those who need it most right now.
