Ride-Buyers keep F1 running

The discussions regarding pay drivers in F1 continue "as only four teams survive without drivers that come with a suitcase full of money," according to Roger Benoit of BLICK.

The drivers at Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and Toro Rosso "do not have to worry about their salaries." Except at the Red Bull development team Toro Rosso, the drivers earn CHF 10M ($10.7M) or more per year.

The only other drivers in this category are McLaren's Jenson Button and Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen. Second McLaren driver Sergio Perez, however, "drives because he brings with him the Mexican Slim clan and sponsorship deals."

That "is the case for many drivers in F1." Currently 10 of 22 drivers "are considered to be pay drivers." Blick