Highest paid athletes in world sport with Manchester United star, Messi and Ronaldo representing football

12=. Lewis Hamilton – Formula One – £16,426,740

The current championship leader in the new season and the second Brit and first motor sport star on the list, with Hamilton looking destined for great things at Mercedes.

12=. Fernando Alonso – Formula One – £16,426,740

The joint highest paid driver in the sport and another who is expected to be challenging to break Sebastian Vettel’s stranglehold on the title with Ferrari.