12. Danilo Petrucci ($650,000)
Unlike most MotoGP riders, Danilo Petrucci didn’t start the world championship from 125 cc class or Moto2. He directly joined the MotoGP class in 2012.
He came from finishing as the runner-up in Superstock 1000 Cup, the championship he had been competing on for five years before.
It was an interesting decision made by his former team, Ioda. He is now currently racing for Ducati Pramac team. The team pays him $650,000 per year.
This season has been tough for Petrucci. So far, he has only raced once in France. He is still recovering from his hand surgery. Earlier this year, he broke his hand while crashing during Phillip Island final test.
