Who are the 10 highest paid Formula 1 drivers? Formula 1 racing began in the late 1940s in Europe, with the first World Championhip held in Silverstone, UK in 1950. Giuseppe Farina, an Italian driver in an Alfa Romeo, won the first World Championship. Then Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina went on to win five consecutive races during Formula 1's first decade, and the audience for the Championship and Formula 1 slowly grew. More races were added to the Formula 1 circuit, and multiple car manufacturers including Alfa Romeo. Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Maserati, began to develop ways to make their vehicles faster and more competitive. Fast-forward sixty plus years, and there are currently twelve teams with 24 active drivers. Formula 1 cars now look more like small jets and the highest paid Formula 1 drivers are some of the richest athletes in the world! They race at speeds of 220 miles per hour, and can hit 5 g on corners. Many people conflate Formula 1 and World Championship races. They actually function separately, with Formula 1 races counting towards World Championship inclusion. As of 2012, there are 25 Formula 1 races occurring worldwide. The global audience for Formula 1 racing has grown to over 520 million, and the sport brings in billions of dollars each year. Consequently, Formula 1 drivers now command sizable salaries.