how do drivers make money?

[anthonyvop]

Very few, are you saying 10%, 25% are receiving a salary? It would be interesting seeing who you feel those few are and we can figure out the rest.

Noticed that you wrote "Receiving" a salary as opposed to EARNING a salary. There is a difference.

[Wilf]

Noticed that you wrote "Receiving" a salary as opposed to EARNING a salary. There is a difference.

Please elaborate.

[Mark]

As in being paid for their driving skill alone as opposed to being paid because of the sponsor they have brought with them.

[Wilf]

As in being paid for their driving skill alone as opposed to being paid because of the sponsor they have brought with them.

So Rubens Barrichello received money, he didn't earn it. How about Graham Rahal, he brought the sponsor, did he receive a salary or earn it.

[Starter]

So Rubens Barrichello received money, he didn't earn it. How about Graham Rahal, he brought the sponsor, did he receive a salary or earn it.

Define "earn".

If a driver has a sponsor it's usually because that driver brings some value to the sponsor. This may or may not have some relation to the driver's ability (see Danica). In her case, she "earned" the money spent on her ride through the publicity she brought to GoDaddy. But, she was paid for the exposure she brought to the sponsor and not necessarily for her performance on the track. Other sponsors just wish to have the exposure of their car running around the track and, so long as the car at least makes the field, that's good enough. Some are willing to pay more for their car to run around the track at the front and sometimes win and in this case they do care whether the driver can consistently compete for wins.

[Wilf]

Define "earn".

If a driver has a sponsor it's usually because that driver brings some value to the sponsor. This may or may not have some relation to the driver's ability (see Danica). In her case, she "earned" the money spent on her ride through the publicity she brought to GoDaddy. But, she was paid for the exposure she brought to the sponsor and not necessarily for her performance on the track. Other sponsors just wish to have the exposure of their car running around the track and, so long as the car at least makes the field, that's good enough. Some are willing to pay more for their car to run around the track at the front and sometimes win and in this case they do care whether the driver can consistently compete for wins.

I agree, the question is does anthonyvop or So CalPVguy?

[anthonyvop]

Please elaborate.

I am talking strictly driver ability here for those who are payed to race, not ride buyers.

Marco Andretti receives a Salary. It is debatable whether he earns it or not.

Ride buyers in most cases have earned their ride.

[BDunnell]

I am talking strictly driver ability here for those who are payed to race, not ride buyers.

Marco Andretti receives a Salary. It is debatable whether he earns it or not.

Ride buyers in most cases have earned their ride.

Semantics.

[anthonyvop]

Semantics.

And the definition of Semantics applies how?

[SoCalPVguy]

There's "earn" and there's "earn":

1. to acquire through merit. Not gonna touch that one with a 10 foot pole. LOL

2. to merit as compensation, as for service.

That's what I thought the OP meant. By earn I though he meant "paid by the team" like a crew employee. Frankly in ICS today that is very few if any drivers. Most are paid by sponsors. Some are paid by team as part of the sponsorship of the team, the drivers cost is a part of the team's sponsorship package and the money is just passed through. Some are paid directly by the sponsor directly to the driver outside of the team but the team chose and hired the driver and crew. Some are ride buyers where the driver is paid directly by his/her 'personal sponsor' directly outside of the team and furthermore that sponsor also pays the team to supply a car & crew for their driver.

More iterations available I am sure ....