|
Post by fizzycola on Jan 24, 2009 13:18:05 GMT
from f1-live.com
The F1 drivers' representative union, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), is asking that drivers not renew their mandatory Superlicenses following the latest price rise.
Drivers were already unhappy last year when the sport's governing body, the FIA, raised the price from just 1725 euros plus 456 euros per point to 10,000 euros and 2000 euros per point.
Further enraging the sport's highly-paid stars, who threatened to boycott the 2008 British Grand Prix over the issue, an inflation increase has now further lifted the flat fee by 400 euros, and 100 euros per point.
In an email, the GPDA has asked drivers not to sign their 2009 licenses or pay the fees, pending the F1 teams' FOTA alliance's next meeting, at which the issue will be discussed, according to the website of the British magazine Autosport.
It is suggested that Max Mosley, who has previously defended the price hikes on the grounds that the money is used for safety advances which most benefit the drivers, is willing to consider the issue but only if the drivers reveal their individual incomes.
Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton is not a GPDA member, but with the latest price increase his 2009 Superlicense will cost 216,200 euros.
Without the increase, it would cost him 206,000 euros.
fizzy
|
|
|
Post by susieq on Jan 24, 2009 13:30:47 GMT
Autosport.com also has a quote from mad Max.. Mosley said at the start of last year that the licence fee had increased so much because of the rising costs of safety. "We spend a fortune on safety and most of it is for the benefit of the drivers," Mosley explained. "A lot of the people who have otherwise been meeting the bill said 'Hang on a minute, these drivers are all earning megabucks and we are spending a fortune to try and make sure they are safe. So hence the increase." I am all for safety, but spending a fortune - does he know there is a recession on!! Yes they earn a lot of money, but its like one of our employers asking for money out of our salary for your H&S at work, somehow I don't think that would go down too well.
|
|
|
Post by redline on Jan 25, 2009 10:19:26 GMT
B E could pay some towards it from the vast amount he makes out of f1
|
|
|
Post by starlightmuse on Jan 25, 2009 11:01:54 GMT
dont most drivers live in tax free places earning loads and have a great job ;D do they sit in rain for hours watching races get stuck in jams to get there?
|
|
Ace
Rookie
Posts: 1
|
Post by Ace on Jan 25, 2009 11:11:36 GMT
If any of you had a race licence, you would see this very differently. As a racing driver, we have to find all the money to pay for many things in order to race. Buy the car for a start. Then pay for the maintenance on the car, pay our entrance fees, pay for fuel, pay for transport, pay for over night accommodation at some meetings and pay for all our kit, the list goes on. The race licence is another expense we racing drivers have to pay for. F1 drivers do not have to pay for any of this in order to race. There is virtually no money from sponsors at club level and little at other levels until you reach F1.
There is a world of difference in drivers’ money between F1 and just about all other forms of motorsport in this country. F1 drivers are paid; all other drivers have to pay.
What I would like to see is F1 licences costing a lot more and the money go to subsidise the younger racers who are struggling through the ranks. Most F1 drivers get several million pounds a year for driving, I would be happy to see the F1 licence go up to 1 million pounds and this fee to be paid by the teams and taken from the drivers wages. Then the F1 licence money could be used to help subsidise other racers not yet earning any money.
This is just my opinion and I wait to see what others say. Lol.
|
|
|
Post by susieq on Jan 25, 2009 11:12:53 GMT
well yeah they do, (re: starlightmuse) esp those in the teams that don't have big budgets. I spoke with Johnny Herbert, while he was driving away from Spa, think it was back in '99, he was stuck in the traffic leaving the curcuit, driving himself. I'm not saying he wasn't paid well, but they all don't get chafferured around. It was nice of him to chat to people on his way, his car did attract a bit of attention.
|
|