Inside the terrific high-speed world of top-ranking WRC rally drivers, their millions of earnings, and global rankings.
Thanks to the global acclaim and popularity of the World Rally Championships (WRC), rally drivers have become celebrated not only as dreaded skillful drivers but also for their impressive monetary perks.
The WRC is among the most challenging and highly coveted prestigiousmotorsports globally. These competitions feature rallies on mixed terrains like gravel, snow, tarmac, and jungle.
Hosted in various countries on different continents, the WRC circuit offers rallies on challenging landscapes with unique conditions.
The WRC calendar has put in place successful events around the world every year, these include Rally Finland, Rally Argentina, Rally Sweden, Rally Monte-Carlo, Safari Rally Kenya, Rally Germany, and Rally Australia.
The Nairobi Tribune delves into this high-speed sporting action to bring out the highest-paid WRC rally drivers and find out what makes them exceptional for participants and spectators while considering their technical driving skills and the unpredictable nature of the sport
The Highest Paid World Rally Circuit (WRC) rally drivers.
- Thierry Neuville- $2M
The 35-year-old Belgian international rally driver Thierry Neuville tops the highest-paid WRC rally drivers in the world with an overwhelming $2M in annual earnings. This has established Neuville at the apex of WRC earnings and one of the all-time top drivers since making his first debut at the World Rally Championships in 2009.
Although Thiery Neuville has competed wearing jerseys of several teams, like Ford, Citroën, and Hyundai the success of his career is mostly identified through his appearance with his Hyundai Motorsport. This contract is still active to date.
- Sébastien Ogier– $1.7M
It is with no doubt that Sébastien Ogier is decorated as one of the greatest rally drivers in the WRC history.
Ogier’s impressive car control skills, ability to maneuver across challenging and unpredictable terrains, and versatility in maximizing his motor vehicle’s high performance have won him prestigious world rallying titles and earned him widespread brilliance in the motorsport world.
After making his first appearance in the WRC in 2008, the French rally driver rapidly rose to the spotlight while competing for Citroën Total World Rally Team.
However, Sébastien Ogier’s rally driving career achieved new heights of prominence and enjoyed much success after signing a partnership with Volkswagen Motorsport. Ogier has since shifted allegiance and from 2017, he has been competing for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team.
Born an Estonian in October 1987, Ott has had a significant impact in the World Rally Championships and earned a spot among the highest-paid WRC rally drivers in the world.
Better known for his supersonic driving speed, excellent car control, and aggressive driving technique, Tänak made his first WRC debut appearance in 2009 with M-Sport Ford.
His formidable determination to drive his car past its limits has made him a fearless competitor and cemented his motorsport-wide fan base worldwide.
Ott Tänak has competed with several racing teams including the DMACK World Rally Team but he achieved his major success while competing with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team.
- Elfyn Evans- $1M
Since his world rally championship debut in 2007, Elfyn has quickly ascended the ranks, competing with world-renowned racing teams like M-Sport Ford and Toyota Gazoo World Rally Racing Team.
The 35-year-old Welsh has had a steady consistent improvement in his performance and driving skills. Evans has shown great determination and resilience in his rally driving career making him one of the highest-paid WRC rally drivers in the world.
His professional contributions to his teams have made him a key strategic competitor for the World Rally championship titles.
- Kalle Rovanperä- $600,000
Kalle Rovanperä is one of the youngest WRC rally drivers to have had much success in a short time.
Born in 2000 in Jyväskylä, this Finnish rally driver’s star has been shining brightest immediately after starting his WRC career with Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team in 2019 and rose ranks to become one of the highest-paid WRC rally drivers in the world.
Famous for his remarkable vehicle control and driving prowess, Kalle displayed talent and maturity at a young age thanks to his family with a strong rallying background, his father, Harri Rovanperä, a former rally driver, achieved notable success during his rally driving career, is believed to be a great inspiration for the young WRC champion.
- Dani Sordo- $550,000
On making his debut appearance at the WRC in 2003, Dani is one seasoned veteran rally driver better known for his significant role in supporting his team’s pursuit of the WRC Constructors’ Championship. His versatility and lightning speed during races have gained him immense recognition and respect across the motorsport community.
Dani Sordo has had a lucrative career and competed for top teams including Hyundai Motorsport and Citroën achieving countless podium finishes and world rally wins making him one of the highest-paid rally drivers in the world.
- Esapekka Lappi- $500, 000
After the start of his WRC career in 2013, Lappi’s impressive driving performance frequently attracted the attention of rallying enthusiasts around the world.
He has worked with top rallying giants like Skoda Motorsport and Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, bagging significant results including clinging his first WRC victory at Rally Finland in 2017.
Lappi’s commitment to his talent, technical versatility, and astonishing speeds on gravel and tarmac terrains has made him a worthy competitor in the World Rally Championships and one of the highest-paid WRC rally drivers around the world.
