F1GPSG.com - a fansite for the Singapore Grand Prix

Is Drivers' Strike During Silverstone GP Possible?

The news of a possible drivers' strike during the Silverstone GP next month has caused some concerns. Apparently, the F1 drivers are getting increasingly riled up by the increase in the cost of a superlicense.

The mechanics behind the cost of a superlicense is as follows:

Previous to 2008, superlicences cost drivers just 1,690 euros plus 447 euros per point scored in the most recent world championship. But the World Motor Sport Council in January approved an increase in the cost of a superlicense to 10,000 euros, plus 2,000 euros per point.

It means that reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen's 2008 license cost 230,000 euros.
Source: GMM © CAPSIS International

When quizzed of the possibility of an actual strike taking place next month, the four drivers in press conference on Thursday - Robert Kubica, Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen expressed that they are all in support of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA)'s move to convince the FIA to reduce the cost of superlicenses, while Kimi Räikkönen advocates for a better solution than to hold a strike.

"I don't know. I don't see that first of all you can say that we strike but it's never going to happen that all the drivers will strike. Hopefully there is some nice solution that can be found at some point." Kimi said during the press conference when asked if he had a better solution in mind.

Among the four drivers, 3 of them - Ferrari's Massa and Räikkönen, as well as McLaren's Lewis Hamilton are all not involved in the GPDA.

Comments

Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.

Headlines