Switching to Ferrari in 2007 , RÃ ikkÃ nen became the highest paid driver in the sport , and secured his first Formula One World Drivers ' Championship , beating McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by one point . Switching to Ferrari in 2007 , RÃ ikkÃ nen became the highest paid driver in motor sport with an estimated wage of $ 51 million per year . In turn his move to Ferrari saw him secure his first Formula One World Drivers ' Championship , beating McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by one point , as well as becoming one of the very few drivers to win in their first season at Ferrari .