Feb.5 (GMM) FIA president Max Mosley has admitted little sympathy for formula one drivers refusing to pay for this year’s more expensive Superlicences
It emerged last month that the drivers’ representative union, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), asked fellow drivers to hold off renewing their mandatory credentials for 2009 following the latest price hike
After the large price increase at the beginning of 2008, the FIA is for this year charging an additional 400 euros per license, and 100 euros per point
But Mosley on Wednesday dismissed their position as “silly”, warning that having an up-to-date Superlicense is compulsory for participation at grands prix
“The drivers are the principal beneficiaries of all the money invested in safety measures,” he told journalists at a media lunch in London
“They told me it was causing hardship, but that’s a complete nonsense. To earn tens of millions, live in a tax haven and complain about having to pay 2 per cent of your income (for the license), it’s just so silly,” Mosley added
He confirmed that no driver has yet submitted their application for a 2009 license but said “that doesn’t usually happen for a while anyway”
Last month, the 68-year-old Briton offered to engage with the drivers on the issue, but only if they reveal precise details about their incomes
“They don’t seem to want to give me that information,” Mosley said
