Without getting too technical about it, I'd say Hamilton has the potential to be worth that much. Certainly his first couple of years in F1 would indicate some real brilliance and he does keep giving little glimmers of just how good he is.

However, he's not had the best of results in recent times and I guess it depends if the clever F1 bods think they can get him back on top again.
(I do hope so, he's still one of the best drivers to watch)

I think the question is worded wrong.


Had you put it as; "is Button only worth half what Hamilton gets?" Then the answer would be that Button is "under paid/under valued".



Personally I think it's extortionate.


I think that Lewis would thrive anywhere on the kind of deal that Piquet had when he was at Lotus and Bennetton. Payment per point with a very low retainer.

Most of Mclaren's sponsor marketing I see has Lewis's face on it.

I don't think there is a 'number 1' in the team.

He is number 3 because he was ahead in the points last year, ahead of his teammate, not due to any 'number 1' notion.

A drivers team salary is only a percentage of what they earn in sponsorship etc.

IIRC When Shuey signed his £99mil for 3yr deal at Ferrari it was said he'd make more than twice than for himself and them in sponsorship.

On the flip side the salary might come with different clauses, maybe Hammy gets £20mil/yr but can't leave whereas Button gets £10mil but can walk whenerv he likes cost free, I doubt the salary reflects there "value" to Mclaren in any way at all.

Maybe but the numbers score it: if Lewis gets twice Jenson's contract per year I'd say Jenson's manager let him a little. But if Jenson didn't have high expectations regarding his retainer, then that's all well and good. Certainly enough to pay the bills.

Drivers salaries depend on how good they are,if the team wants them and their negotiation skills.

In 1994 Damon Hill was paid £300,000 for the full season.Nigel Mansell did four races that season and got paid £900,000 per race.

Damon said he was not really bothered about the money side just happy to be in the car.

Some if it is down to McLaren not wanting him in another car against them.

Also, who would they get to replace him? I can't see anyone that's currently available being on par with him. Britney (Rosberg for those unaware) wouldn't leave Mercedes. Vettel and Alonso (which worked so well last time) are on long term deals and ic an't see Vettel leaving RB while Adrian Newey works there.

Where would Lewis go? The Whinging Spaniard would stop any move to Ferrari straight away, even though their relationship appears to have improved. Besides, Fernando is the clear no 1 and Ferrari would want a No. 2. Red Bull? He's no doubt seen how they favour Vettel. Does he think he could match and beat him? Maybe, but RB are likely to promote from within. Williams? Not likely. Mercedes? A possibility, but Mercedes will probably go for Di Resta when M Schu retires. Any other team would be seen as a step down.

Mclaren are (rightly) regarded as the team that can improve a car over the season. Even if they produce a dog of a car, as they did in 2009 they made it into a race winner by seasons end. I think Lewis will stay. Is he worth double? No. Is he worth more? Yes. Jenson's car needs to be perfect for him to drive well. When it is, he flies, as seen at Canada last year and in Melbourne this year. When it's not, he struggles to go well. Hamilton seems to be able to take any car by the scruff of the neck and drive it fast. That's why he's in demand and that's why he's worth so much.

isn't more a question of what the other teams are prepared to pay for LH than how much better/valuable then Button he is?

you'd have to say that so far this season he's certainly worth some kind of premium