Every year towards the end of the season, the world of Formula One racing plays a big game of musical chairs as drivers' contracts come up for renewal and seats open up. Sometimes drivers end up in the same chair they were in before, but this season we've got reason to believe there'll be a big switch. And the key to that switch depends on Fernando Alonso more than anyone else, according to Ross Brawn. The former Ferrari technical guru and current head of Honda's F1 racing program points towards the lackluster performance of Renault this year as clear evidence that Alonso will seek out a new team. Where he will end up remains a big question mark, however, as almost all the teams would welcome the two-time world champion to their ranks, and would be willing to hold off signing their other drivers until Alonso has sat down.
Back in the 2005 and 2006 Formula One seasons, Fernando Alonso thoroughly trounced Michael Schumacher for the title. Since then, however, Alonso hasn't beaten many of Schumacher's records, but the two-time champion can now rest easy – in a big, solid gold chair – knowing that he's finally making more than Schumi.
Although finances in F1, as we've reported before, are secrets as closely guarded as technical breakthroughs, reports now indicate that Alonso's deal to return to Renault has made him the most highly-paid driver in or out of F1. If the reports are to be believed, Alonso will make $46 million this season. That's only from his contract with Renault and does not include assuredly lucrative sponsorship deals, and only stands if Alonso stays for a second year. The amount is a symbolic $1 million more than what arch-rival Kimi Raikkonen reportedly makes at Ferrari and more than double what his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton pulled in last year driving for McLaren. In fact, Hamilton reportedly resigned with McLaren for $138 million over the next five years, which breaks down to $27.6 million per year or $1.53 million per race in 2008. Alonso will be earning $2.55 million per race this year, and if renewed for next year will beat even the lucrative $86 million two-year offer Schumacher got to stay at Ferrari through 2008.
