Two prominent Formula 1 chiefs disagree over the issue of whether modern era grand prix drivers are grossly overpaid.
It is believed top stars like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel earn tens of millions of dollars per season, which according to Red Bull official Helmut Marko is excessive.
"Basically, the drivers of today are definitely overpaid," he told Sport Bild.
"Two reasons: First, there is only now a small risk of a serious accident or fatality. And second, young top talents like Verstappen or Wehrlein can easily take these current cars around tracks for 100 laps without effort.
"Previously, even a Vettel had to take breaks because he was not used to the high forces. This means that the cars are easier to drive and the drivers are doing less," Marko added.
However F1 legend, triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda does not agree with his Austrian countryman.
"The drivers do not earn too much," he said. "We mustn't forget what Formula 1 generates every year, and how much the drivers contribute to that."
Formula 1 Driver Salaries for 2016
| Driver | Team | Salary | Contract | |
| 1 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | $30 million a year plus bonuses afterwards | 3 Years |
| 2 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren | $40 million a year including all bonuses | 2 Years |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | $31 million a year basic salary plus bonuses | 3 Year |
| 4 | Kimi Raikonen | Ferrari | $28 Million | 1 Year |
| 5 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | $15.5 Million | 3 Year |
| 6 | Jenson Button | McLaren | $13 Million | 1 Year |
| 7 | Felipe Massa | Williams | $5 million a year | 1 Year |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India | $5 million a year | 2 Year |
| 9 | Romain Grosjean | Haas F1 | $4.5 million a year salary plus bonuses | 1 Year |
| 10 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | $4 million a year | 1 Year Left |
| 11 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams | $2.5 million a year | 1 Year |
| 12 | Esteban Gutiérrez | Haas F1 | $2 million | 1 Year |
| 13 | Sergio Perez | Force India | $2 Million | 2 Years |
| 14 | Kevin Magnussen | Renault | $1.5 Million | 1 Year |
| 15 | Jolyon Palmer | Renault | $900,000 | 1 Year |
| 16 | Daniil Kvyat | Red Bull | $850,000 | Multi-Year |
| 17 | Carlos Sainz, Jr | Toro Rosso | $650,000 | Multi-Year |
| 18 | Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso | $650,000 | Multi-Year |
| 19 | Felipe Nasr | Sauber | $450,000 | 1 Year |
| 20 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber | $450,000 | 1 Year |
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