Could Drivers strike follow Superlicense hike

[John S]

Drivers unhappy about license price hike -
GPDA asks its members to hold back


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.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

[johnbull]

But hasn't our dear old Max been pontificating recently about reducing costs?

When I was a little boy I was always told that CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Perhaps Max was too busy playing with his chains and his whip to have heard that.