How Much Money Formula 1 Drivers Make in 2022? 

More than me that’s for sure

I am against a hard cap. I think a Luxury salary tax would be an interesting idea. I do think if they do go with a hard cap then driver's ability to license themselves, or get personal sponsors, or engage in other revenue sources should be very widely opened. Again, I think that things should stay the same other than maybe a reasonable Luxury Tax which would benefit competitiveness in F1. But, if they do go with a hard Cap drivers are just being paid for their driving skill and not their marketability. Leclerc should then be able to open his fashion line regardless of Puma sponsoring Ferrari. Perhaps don't allow him to wear Ferrari gear but if they aren't paying him his value in exclusivity then Puma needs to pay him for it or not expect it. If Max wants to drink Monster in his Instagram for a fee and he isn't representing or have the regalia of Red Bull Racing then if there's a hard cap he should be able to. I'm fine with limiting to outside Team or FIA events (i.e. press conferences or the cooldown room) but when not representing their team or F1 directly then Lewis should be able to wear a Ford #1 T-Shirt in a Ford ad for a $1 mil. To me what they'd be saying with a hard cap is 'we're only paying for your driving and not your marketing value outside that'. And you are somewhat wrong, it isn't just driver salaries that are exempt from the salary cap. Of the 700-1200 F1 team employees only about 20-30 are actually counted against the cap. The only salaries that count are basically those (other than the driver and Team Principle) on Pit Row during a race. R&D, Manufacturing, Consulting, Marketing, Logistics, HR, Operations.... are not counted either as a departments or their salaries.