£88m Lewis Hamilton beats Wayne Rooney to top sporting rich list

The 30-year-old won his second Formula One world title last season, and the wages and bonuses associated saw his wealth grow to £88 million, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, which is published this weekend.

Wayne Rooney is in second place, having earned £12m last year to hit £72m in total, with Jenson Button close behind on £71m.

Andy Murray is a distant fourth on 'just' £48m, though of course that may be lower next year given that the Scottish tennis superstar has just had a wedding to pay for.

Murray had actually been fifth the previous year, behind former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who is on £44m.

Ferdinand is the second-highest footballer, though he may not keep that slot next year: Steven Gerrard is close behind on £42m, and about to embark on what is presumed to be a highly-lucrative late-career move to LA Galaxy.

All of these figures pale in comparison to David Beckham, however: the retired superstar is said to be worth around £230 million, with wife Victoria worth roughly a further £200m. However, Beckham is no longer considered in the "sport" category, but instead is put in with celebrity and fashion icons.

No doubt that's a status which Lewis Hamilton one day hopes to emulate. And while he no longer has an equivalent to Beckham's pop star partner, his high profile off the track suggests that he is already moving in that direction.

1. Lewis Hamilton (motor racing) £88m (£68m in 2014)

2. Wayne Rooney (football) £72m (£60m)

3. Jenson Button (motor racing) £71m (£63m)

4. Andy Murray (tennis) £48m (£40m)

5. Rio Ferdinand (football) £44m (£44m)

6. Steven Gerrard (football) £42m (£37m)

7. Luol Deng (basketball) £40m (£36m)

7. Jose Mourinho (football) £40m (new)

9. Frank Lampard (football) £39m (£37m)

10.= Rory McIlroy (golf) £38m (£28m)

10.= Ryan Giggs (football) £38m (£36m)

10.= Arsene Wenger (football) £38m (new)

10.= Nick Faldo (golf) £38m (new)