Mark Webber, Highest Sports Earner in Australia in 2010

Mark Webber did not fulfill his dream of becoming world champion in Formula One this season, but the incredible run for the title he had this season helped him become the highest sports earner in his native Australia. According to the Rich List published annually by BRW magazine, Webber made a 3-spot leap in the standings to overtake golfer Greg Norman for the first position in that classification.

According to the aforementioned magazine, 34-year old Webber earned an estimated $13.4 million (approximately EUR10 million) throughout his impressive 2010 campaign in Formula One, out of which only EUR4.4 million come from his retainer with Red Bull Racing. Last year, the only Australian F1 racer came in 4th place on the Rich List.

“Former No.1 Greg Norman has been removed from the list this year to reflect the continual slowdown in his playing commitments. Norman still makes millions but almost all of his money comes from property development and other business deals,” the BRW magazine argued their decision to oust Norman from the sportsmen list.

The Top Down Under includes several other motor racing figures. While runner-up was Andrew Bogut, an NBL basketball player who made approximately $12.6 million in 2010, the podium was completed by motocross rider Chad Reed ($7.5 million). MotoGP rider and former world champion Casey Stoner made $6.8 million this year, $2.6 million more than Premier League player Tim Cahill and NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose.

After marking the beginning of Australia's Festival of Speed last weekend, Webber headed to Hobart “to announce the 2011 resurrection of his Tasmanian outdoor adventure challenge, which was cancelled after he broke his leg in 2008,” as reported by the GMM news agency.