The fees for getting an F1 Superlicense were increased by more then 600% last year, with an additional increase this year due to the economic regression. Although it was considered a big deal at the time, Mosley insisted the new fees were brought to the standards of the drivers' contracts and doesn't consider it to be unreasonable.
“You will appreciate that we cannot assess hardship unless we have that information. Confidentiality is not an issue - we have a great deal of highly confidential information from the teams,” read the letter, as reported by autosport.com.
“Apart from Formula One, there are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living. International licences (even "A" licences) are issued by a driver's ASN under the authority of the FIA. The costs of such licences are fixed by the relevant ASN but are usually modest. A driver who does not want, or even cannot afford to pay for, a Formula One superlicence thus has many alternatives.”
“The drivers who compete in Formula One are, in general, by far the highest paid motor sport competitors, so it seems reasonable that they should make a tax-deductible contribution to the safety and running of the sport from which they benefit so greatly.”
“I very much doubt whether any legal system (there are many) imposes duties of the kind postulated in your press release but the efforts made by the FIA in relation to regulation and safety are both necessary and of the highest standard. These efforts have saved the lives of many superlicence holders. They do not pay for themselves,” added Mosley.
The FIA have already announced that 3 drivers have submitted their applications for the 2009 Superlicense, including the adjacent fees.
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