12. Sergio Perez ($3 million)
Sergio Perez was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy when he first stepped into the F1 world. He got his first podium finish at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix with Sauber Racing Team.
He signed up with McLaren for the 2013 season but he failed miserably. His team got one of its worst years since 1980. But that didn’t stop Sergio. He has been referred to as “The Mexican Wunderkind” because of his excellent performance at such young age.
He is currently racing for Force India. Yesterday, May 30th, he gave his current team its first podium finish in Monaco Grand Prix. Due to rainy condition, the race started behind the safety car. Perhaps, a little bit of luck helped him through.
The team paid him approximately $3 million for this season. With his recent achievement in Monaco, he will definitely get bonus cash or even better: salary raise!
