Exploring 5 Luxury Homes of F1's Richest Drivers

Few terms are as polarising as vanity. One is often endlessly subjected to tags and labels especially if an individual happens to be a successful personality. How often, it must be asked, have we heard the likes of artists, performers, writers, diplomats, politicians, traders, industrialists, inventers or sportstars being branded as "narcissistic" or "vain?"

Perhaps it may not be wrong to suggest that the more popular one gets, the more one is subjected to tags that come free of cost, albeit relative to one's popularity.

In popular culture, the likes of Michael Jackson was branded with pretty much any phrase under the sun, his lifestyle and riches subjected to incessant scrutiny.

Sports idols are endlessly debated and their lifestyles subjected to constant intervention by the public, at large. Isn't it? So in that regard, what can one say about F1 drivers? Rather, what can be said about the richest F1 drivers?

While it makes less sense to be judgmental of these stars or the way they lead their lives-this being a free world and everyone being entitled to do any activity as long as it's sane and legal- one wonders, who are F1's richest drivers? Furthermore, what kind of luxury abodes to they live in?

Kimi Raikkonen's House: Luxury Mansion, Baar, Switzerland

The Iceman leads a charming life in Switzerland's Baar, not too far from his Alfa Romeo headquarters

Perhaps, to some it may come as a surprise that the former Ferrari world champion Kimi Raikkonen leads quite a luxuriuous life. The laconic Finn, responsible for setting the record for the world's fastest lap- that 1:19:119 at Monza in 2018- happens to be his own private man.

Leading a fairly luxurious life in the unassuming charms of Baar, in Switzerland, the notoriously media-shy personality lives life to the fullest along with his family of three, including a son and daughter, and wife, Mintoo.

But while Kimi hails from Espoo, in Finland, among the most famous Nordic countries, Raikkonen shifted his base to Switzerland several years back.

While his 2018 F1 season saw him win a fantastic Grand Prix in the USA, his 2019 switch to Alfa Romeo (formerly, known as Sauber) brings the famous 'Iceman' back to where be began his Formula 1 journey.

Raikkonen reportedly has a net worth estimated to be around $220 million.

Sebastian Vettel's House: Country Farm House, Switzerland

Seb lives a quaint and charming life in Switzerland, whilst also having a house in Heppenheim, Deutschland

Not a driver who happens to lead a life right under the public glare. Not a driver who leads a buzzing life in front of the social media fanfare, either. Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, someone who's dominated the proceedings like few others in the pre-turbo-era of Formula 1, leads a comfortable life tucked in the princely wonder of Switzerland, a common base for most drivers on the grid.

For someone who recently shared his distate for the idea to declare his personal life; what he's up to when not racing, his personal life, et cetera on social media, Sebastian Vettel, a man estimated to have a net worth of around $100million prefers to lead a simple and uncomplicated life in Western Europe.

But that said, one wonders, what might Vettel add to his earnings tally if he happens to do seriously well ahead in the season and in the year next?

Fernando Alonso's House: Luxury villa, Northern Spain

Few drivers are as respected as they are talented as Fernando Alonso, who also happens to be among the richest F1 drivers. Famously called the 'Spanish Samurai', Fernando Alonso, who also happens to have a museum dedicated to his F1 career and journey is understood to be among the affluent Grand Prix racers around.

The famous former Ferrari driver, who happens to have won not one but two separate world titles with Renault is reported to have recently purchased a sterling property in Dubai, in addition to having a fantastic luxury villa in his native Spain.

In case one was wondering what is Fernando Alonso's net worth, then here's an answer. Furthermore, purely on current form, it is expected that the former double world champion may most likely return to the F1 grid at some point in 2020. Wonder what might be his earnings then?

Michael Schumacher's House: Lake-side villa in Geneva, Switzerland

The 'Red Barron' happens to have several properties across so many destinations

Not a driver that can ever be forgotten, Michael Schumacher was, during the nineties and early 2000s doing things that were unprecedented in the sport.

Not many since Ayrton Senna have raised the bar of the sport in a way Michael Schumacher has and for someone who's quite simply rewritten the record books by unmatched excellence, it can be said safely that Schumacher's glowing legend is not going to ever take a beating.

During the course of his phenomenal F1 career, wherein he drove not one but two separate stints, Michael Schumacher raised the bar for several drivers - both contemporaries and those who were to be birthed in the sport.

The Ferrari legend, who also drove a few memorable races for the Mercedes team is currently recovering from a serious skiing accident that's threatened his very existence. But thankfully, due to a long and sterling career, Michael, the only man in F1 to win 7 world titles did well enough to earn hansomely. His lakeside house at Geneva in Switzerland happens to be among the many properties that the celebrated German owns.

Michael Schumacher's Net Worth is estimated to be around $800 million

Lewis Hamiton: Luxury Apartment at Manhattan, New York

Lewis, the king of the current grid lives like a kings!

How often, it must be asked, has one gotten used to hearing the following phrase- "Get in there Lewis?" In fact, there's another one. Hasn't one gotten so used to hearing about the prevalence of "Hammer-time" given the usual streak of domination with which the five-time world champion operates?

Lewis Hamilton, quite clearly, happens to be among the richest F1 drivers with an estimated net worth of $285 million. He is someone whose famous party lifestyle including his jet-packing adventures in a private jet happens to have made as many headlines as his phenomenal record on the track.

For someone who emerged from humble beginnings of Stevenage, Lewis Hamilton, a man responsible for 42 fastest laps, 5 world championships, and 76 wins has afforded himself all the luxuries of life that one would expect from a noted sports icon of his time.

He recently purchased a sprawling penthouse in Manhattan, New York, in a country he undoubtedly loves. The cost of this prime real estate purchase is rumored to be a whopping $5-10 million.

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Edited by Sal