Just as point of reference, this is what Forbes says the top guys in NASCAR were getting circa 2011:
Earnhardt: $29M
Gordon: $25M
Johnson: $24M
Haven't researched the dropoff down the field but suspect it's pretty steep, just like in F1 and more serious these days because of the economy. But my original argument was that Hamilton might consider a top NASCAR team. He well understands that speed and money go together. No bucks, no Buck Rogers.
Hamilton's going to want Fernando-style money from McLaren, and McLaren's already made it plain they're not paying that. My guess is they'll offer a little better than what they're paying Button, but not that much better. Would he take that? Or would his pride maybe say, "No, I'll try building something somewhere else."
I think once Hamilton realises he wont get what he wants as far as payment in F1, He'll seek ANY paycheck elsewhere.
How much does Marcos Ambrose make? Those are guys which have been in NASCAR and similar series for years. And even then, Ambrose drove a Big, heavy V8 car before going to NASCAR. V8 Supercars is about as close as it gets to NASCAR, and thats a stretch.
How much does Scott Speed make? Granted, Lewis IS faster than him, but thats a pretty similar comparison.
How much does Juan Pablo Montoya make? He ALREADY had knowledge about how to drive on an Oval, making him a great candidate.
How much did Kimi Raikkonen make in CWTS? Probably not alot.
How much does Nelson Piquet Jr. make?
How much did Karthikayen make?
There is NO money to be made for Lewis in NASCAR because he has ZERO experience(you cant possibly count driving a car, in the wet, at a promotional event as "Experience") driving on Ovals, which make up all but 1 or 2 of the races. He will not make even a fraction of what he makes in F1 in NASCAR. He simply cannot land a top NASCAR seat. And he wont. Ever.
Or, he could get a nice Prototype seat(Granted, for a reduced pay) with a privateer team. Lets say he comes to the ALMS, and makes a little money (Waaaaayyyyy more than he would at NASCAR) at... Muscle Milk, or Dyson. That puts him in a car capable of winning (A BIG deal for him), and then he clears the ALMS with ease, while gaining a bit of knowledge about Sports Car racing. Oh, whats this? Audi/Toyota/Porsche come knocking. Bam. He lands a nice pay for one of the top WEC teams. Lets say Audi snag him. Then he gets access to
-WEC (You know, that tiny race in the middle of France?)
-DTM
-GT3/VLN/Blancpain
I'm sure Fisichella (Just won the LM 24 Hours GTE Pro) is happy with where he is, money or not. And Lewis probably was paid SIGNIFICANTLY more while he was in F1.
Nick Heidfeld isnt even winning, and he's happy at Rebellion.
Who is that Ex-F1 guy who wasn't too good at Toyota a few years ago? Allan... something? Yeah. Allan McNish. Tell me he doesnt make a substantial sum of money at Audi, in addition to his Simraceway sponsorship thing.
If he wants to build skills elsewhere, why not go where his racecraft may actually apply? Instead of starting fresh, where people have been doing Ovals since they were barely old enough to drive, who will ALWAYS be faster than a Rookie fresh from Europe.
But it boils down to what I said a while ago- Lewis should NEVER have dropped his father as a Manager.
That said, I still doubt that his Managers will make his career choices for him