Mosley says licence fees are reasonable

F1 drivers are unhappy about a huge hike in fees that was introduced for the start of the 2008 season, and have been holding back on paying what they claim is an 'inherently unfair' cost.

Following a press release issued by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) last week claiming that drivers should not be used as a 'revenue stream' for the FIA, Mosley has responded to the organisation.

It follows earlier correspondence where the drivers suggested they would face hardship owing to the licence costs.

In a letter sent by Mosley to all drivers, a copy of which has been seen by autosport.com, he said he could not judge whether drivers would face financial difficulties owing to the licence fees unless the drivers confided in him how much they earned.

"You will appreciate that we cannot assess hardship unless we have that information," said Mosley. "Confidentiality is not an issue - we have a great deal of highly confidential information from the teams."

Mosley said that owing to the amount of money F1 drivers earned, it made perfect sense for the licence fee to reflect the opportunities Grand Prix drivers got.

If drivers were unhappy with the situation, Mosley said, he reminded them they were free to go and race in other categories where the licence fees were much lower.

"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," he said.

"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."

Mosley did promise drivers that any future rise in the superlicence fees would simply be the result of inflation.

"I do hope you will all see the fairness of our position and decide to continue to drive in the Formula One World Championship," Mosley concluded. "If it helps, I can confirm that increases will be limited to inflation for the foreseeable future."

The FIA confirmed earlier this week that three drivers had already paid for their superlicences to the governing body.