Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo on the sideline before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium- Source: Getty
F1 drivers are some of the best-paid athletes in the world of sports and can regularly be found on the highest-paid lists at the end of the year. They usually earn their money by signing contracts with the F1 teams that could be included in several aspects apart from their base fee such as race win bonuses and podium bonuses etc.
However, there have been a few instances when F1 teams have paid their drivers to not race for them in a full season and gave them compensation for that period. Below is the list 5 times when such an event has occurred:
#1 Daniel Ricciardo - McLaren F1
Daniel Ricciardo announced in 2020 that he would leave Renault after two years to join McLaren in 2021 on a three-year deal. However, he was unable to replicate his performances with the Woking-based outfit as many had anticipated.
