Mosley Stands Firm On Driver Licence Row

Mikk · 02-13-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

From: BBC

Motorsport boss Max Mosley has written to Formula One drivers to suggest they race elsewhere if they are unable to pay for their super-licences.
He was responding to a statement by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) condemning the licence price hike.
The cost rose by £8,700 on average in 2008, meaning Lewis Hamilton will pay £242,000 for his licence this season.
"A driver who does not want, or cannot afford to pay for, a F1 super licence, has many alternatives," said Mosley. 
"Apart from Formula One, there are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living."
Three unnamed drivers have already paid for their licences amid the ongoing row between the two bodies.
Mosley reiterated his stance that drivers were not in a position to complain about the increased prices because of the salaries they earn.
"The drivers who compete in Formula One are, in general, by far the highest paid motorsport competitors.
"So it seems reasonable that they should make a tax-deductible contribution to the safety and running of the sport from which they benefit so greatly.
"I do hope you will all see the fairness of our position and decide to continue to drive in the Formula One World Championship," he added.
The GPDA had hit out at the FIA over the increasing cost of the licence drivers need to race.
The GPDA, who represents the majority of drivers on the grid, but not last year's world champion Hamilton and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, says the price hikes for the mandatory super-licences are unfair and that the FIA is using it to fill budgetary gaps.
Mosley responded by suggesting such claims were "nonsense" but drivers were advised not to sign the 2009 licences while talks between the two parties were ongoing.
It was revealed by the FIA though that three drivers had already paid for their licenses.
No names or details of the three drivers were revealed but an FIA spokesman revealed: "We can confirm that the FIA has received payment from three drivers.
"The proposed increases are inherently unfair, both in the way they were introduced and they way they impact on individual drivers," said a statement from the GPDA, which claims the costs were opposed unanimously by the drivers.
He said the FIA might reconsider in a case of genuine hardship, but drivers should first disclose their gross earnings, a gesture which would be "irrelevant", according to the GPDA.
"Drivers' gross (and net) earnings are confidential to the drivers, their management and financial advisors and any relevant tax authorities, and should be respected as such," the association's statement said.
It added that drivers were not opposed to a "reasonable increase" but did not want their licences to be a "revenue stream" for the FIA.
"The FIA should raise sufficient funds from the exploitation of its commercial rights," the statement continued.
"As a principle, the drivers should not be taxed to fund the costs of others fulfilling their legal duty to the drivers."

Interesting situation.

In a way i'm behind the drivers as i agree they shouldn't be having to pay for the upkeep of F1 as its pretty much giving back your wages to your boss just so you can work there.

And if Mosley does stand firm on this then no drivers = no F1 as i doubt if they are having this kind of problem with the current drivers then the ones coming in would be the same.

Mosley Stands Firm On Driver Licence Row

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