F1: Red Bull's Helmut Marko thinks drivers are overpaid
Two prominent Formula One chiefs disagree over the issue of whether drivers are grossly overpaid.
Top stars like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel earn dozens of millions of dollars per season, which is excessive according to Red Bull official Dr. Helmut Marko.
"Basically, the drivers of today are definitely overpaid," Marko told Germany's Sport Bild.
"Two reasons: First, there is only now a small risk of a serious accident or fatality. And second, young top talents like (Max) Verstappen or (Pascal) 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.
F1 legend, triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda, however, does not agree with his Austrian countryman.
"The drivers do not earn too much," Lauda said.
"We must not forget what (income) Formula One generates every year, and how much the drivers contribute to that."
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