From GMM

The President of the FIA Max Mosley has assured Formula 1 drivers that future increases to the cost of their mandatory Superlicences will be modest.

But the FIA president, in a letter to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), non-members of the drivers' body and Bernie Ecclestone, also warned those who do not want to pay for their documents that they can race in more affordable series.

The GPDA has asked drivers to hold firm amid the dispute and refuse to pay for their 2009 licence, but it emerged this week that three drivers have broken ranks.

"If it helps I can confirm increases will be limited to inflation for the foreseeable future," Mosley wrote in the letter, copies of which were leaked to the media.

However, he showed no sign of agreeing to the drivers' demands in reverting to the lower fees of 2007, warning those who cannot afford the cost of a Superlicence to turn to motor racing's other categories.

"There are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living," Mosley wrote.

The teams pointed out in their own statement last week that the licences paid by NASCAR drivers is just $4000.

Mosley, however, said it is "reasonable" that the world's most highly paid drivers also pay handsomely for their credential, arguing that safety advances championed by the FIA have "saved the lives of many" Superlicence holders.

"I do hope you will all see the fairness of our position and decide to continue to drive in the formula one world championship," he wrote.


Photo Credit : WRI2