Formula 1 News

F1 drivers unhappy over new Superlicence fee 

Despite the global financial crisis, F1′s governing body, the FIA, has increased once again the Superlicence fee. The licence’s price has increased from 10.000 euros to 10.400 euros, plus an extra 100 euros (from 2.000 to 2.100) for each point scored last season; a mandatory insurance charge of 2.720 euros has also been introduced.

The new fee has created a dispute between the FIA and the F1 drivers, who are refusing this time to sign the mandatory licence until the situation is sorted out with Max Mosley. FIA President Max Mosley would have already accepted to discuss the matter, but only if drivers could provide him with details of their earnings so he could judge whether the fee was too high or not.

In the meantime, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has requested the FOTA (Formula One Team’s Association) to discuss the matter at the upcoming meeting scheduled for February 3rd and has suggested the drivers not to sign and pay for the licences until the situation is sorted.

With the new Superlicence price, the 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton – who scored 98 points last year – will have to pay 218.920 euros.