Max Verstappen could become only the 7th athlete to earn $1 billion while still active

As Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen embarks on his first season at the top of the sport, the Red Bull driver has signed a new contract until 2028 worth a jaw-dropping $50 million per-year to the Dutchman.

Now in line to earn an astonishing $2.4m every single race, the 24-year-old is expected to become one of the highest-earning athletes around the globe.

Considering Verstappen’s still youthful age – with the further notion his current fallen foe Lewis Hamilton is still going strong at 37 – a further 10-plus years could yet follow at the top of F1.

Should that occur, it is now estimated Verstappen could join an elite group who have all earned above $1 billion in earnings whilst still active.

So who is Max gunning for?

To date, only six men are included on the aforementioned $1bn list.

Whilst Tiger Woods‘ further participation in golf remains shrouded in some sizeable doubt due to long-term injuries and his ongoing recovery after last year’s car accident, his career has been littered with accolades and its riches that follow.

A 15-time major winner, still in 2020 alone, the 46-year-old made an approximate $60m from sponsorship deals, with Rolex, TaylorMade and Nike his big earners.

The Californian, however, is in stellar company.

Not least with the greatest footballers of our generation in both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but also tennis royalty in Roger Federer.

If Federer’s sporting legacy is not already set in stone, his own RF brand has become a billion-dollar franchise itself.

Then, of course, there is ‘money’ himself Floyd Mayweather Jr, who has broken numerous PPV box office records, aside from the multitude of world titles won and lucrative partnerships with clothing and sports brands he has