A new increase in driver licenses in 2009?

The GPDA, the association of Formula 1 drivers, is asking drivers not to renew their mandatory Super License as a new price increase has raised it to an exorbitant amount.

The drivers already experienced an increase in their license fees last year when the sport’s governing body, the FIA, raised the price from 1,725 euros plus 456 euros per point to 10,000 euros and 2,000 euros per point.

This increase had provoked the anger of the F1 stars, who had threatened to boycott the 2008 British Grand Prix. This season, the increase in the flat fee for the license would be 400 euros and 100 euros per point due to inflation.

In an email, the GPDA invited the drivers not to sign their licenses for 2009, asking them to wait for the next FOTA meeting during which the issue will be discussed, according to the website of the British magazine Autosport.

Max Mosley supported the initiative of his organization by promising that this money would be used for the safety of drivers in the race. He is willing to reconsider the issue only if the drivers disclose their incomes.

The reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton, is not a member of the GPDA, but with this latest increase, his Super License would cost him 216,200 euros. Without this increase, the cost would have been 206,000 euros.