So who is the best-paid Formula 1 driver on the grid today? Most of us would think it'd be the reigning champion Lewis Hamilton, with his red private jet, glitzy lifestyle and all the rest of it. Or perhaps Sebastian Vettel, the four-time champ that has just jumped ship to Ferrari. But you'll be pleasantly surprised at just who it is that reigns supreme on the chart.

It does not matter that his car is an absolute dog. It does not matter that he left his former team just when things turned for the better. It does not matter that he has more fun on a go-kart track than he does in his F1 car. And frankly, his F1 team may not even score more than 10 points this season, but, guess what, it really does not matter. Most astute commentators still rate him as the best F1 driver on the grid. Enough clues?

Well, wait for it, it's Fernando Alonso! According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, Fernando Alonso is paid €35 million a year, while his fellow countryman Roberto Merhi only earns a scant €50,000 a year. This is the full list, as stated in the publication:

1. Fernando Alonso, McLaren €35m
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari €28m
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes €25m
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari €18m
5. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes €13.5m
6. Jenson Button, McLaren €10m
7. Felipe Massa, Williams €4m
8. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India €4m
9. Sergio Perez, Force India €4m
10. Romain Grosjean, Lotus €4m
11. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus €4m
12. Valtteri Bottas, Williams €2m
13. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull €1.5m
14. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull €750,000
15. Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso €250,000
16. Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso €250,000
17. Felipe Nasr, Sauber €200,000
18. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber €200,000
19. Will Stevens, Manor €150,000
20. Roberto Merhi, Manor €50,000

2014_Bahrain_GP_002

Formula 1 has always been seen an elitist sport, with regulations that always seem to favour the top-tier teams. This lack of proactiveness on the part of the FIA towards levelling the playing field also plays into the hands of the kingmakers that rule this sport.

According to the BBC, teams like Red Bull and Ferrari have budgets in the region of £250 million a year, while McLaren and Ferrari have a little less with £200 million a year.

Now, back in 2014, just 63% of the £1.1 billion that was F1's income went to the teams, while the rest went to the commercial right holders (CRH). Nonetheless, the contracts that define how the teams get paid are confidential.

The mechanics of the profit arrangement are quite complicated, but essentially, the higher you finish, the more money you get. It definitely is another world in the bubble that is F1. I guess, money does make the world go round, or at least in this case, it keeps the wheels of this circus rolling on.

In honour of Fernando Alonso, here is a gallery of his McLaren MP4-30.

McLaren MP4-30