Haas' Romain Grosjean was among France's highest paid athletes in 2018 according to a list compiled by L'Equipe.
Grosjean clocked in 41st in the French daily's rankings with his 2018 income estimated at €5.5 million.
The 32-year-old is also the first F1 driver to appear on L'Equipe's list since Oliver Panis in 2005, a thirteen-year gap which the Frenchman puts down to performance and economic reasons.
"You need drivers that either win races or secure podium finishes," said Grosjean.
"As far as podiums are concerned, I'm the last French driver to have finished in the top-3: ten times in total between 2012 and 2015.
"The last French Grand Prix winner however was Olivier Panis in 1996 [at the Monaco GP].
"Also, the disappearance from F1 of several teams has generally led to lower salaries. Economic conditions impacting the automobile sector also hit our sport. There has been less money available in the last decade."
Grosjean also revealed that his deal with Haas includes bonus payments linked to his tally of championship points.
"My contract calls for a basic retainer and a bonus scheme that actually works quite well," he added.
"Every point scored in the Drivers' standings adds to me income, and other performance bonuses may be triggered during the season according to one's contract. Therefore almost all my revenue comes from my team.
"And then come my personal sponsorship deals which in 2018 included Richard Mille, jaguar, Seier capital, Excelljets and Christian Roth, as we as ADSS who also sponsor my protégé Louis Deletraz."
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