Drivers threaten to strike at British GP
After the tanker drivers’ strike prepare for the Formula One drivers’ walkout, which could happen at the British Grand Prix.
The Shell drivers got a 14 per cent increase, but the grand prix men are looking for a cut in the cost of their superlicences, which are issued by the sport’s governing body the FIA.[>
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“I don’t know what the solution will be or what we will do, but a strike at Silverstone? That is one possibility. Why not?” said double world champion Fernando Alonso at Magny Cours before this Sunday’s French Grand Prix.[>
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The drivers have been angered at the 500 per cent rise imposed on them for the licence which affects all 20, from Kimi Raikkonen on £25million a year, to those near the back paying for their own drives.[>
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The new superlicence is £7,500 plus £1,500 a point, therefore Lewis Hamilton paid £176,500 under the new rule last year, while Raikkonen paid £178,000 as world champion.[>
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“It is a ridiculous price,” said Alonso, who joked: “I won’t need to pay as much this year,” as he referred to his switch to Renault where he does not have the car to collect too many points.[>
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“We have approached the FIA by letter three times, but we have not had a positive answer. [>
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“Nothing has been agreed with them. It is difficult because the drivers have different contracts and commitments with the teams. We have to do our job. [>
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“We ask where the money is going. The increase is massive, but we have no answer. If it is for safety and to improve circuits then we would pay – but no answer.[>
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“It depends which drivers have to pay this amount of money. Three or four years ago my salary was not so big and it would have been a larger percentage of it.[>
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“I have been lucky to improve in the last few years, but I am sure there are still drivers who are scoring many points for whom it is not easy. The FIA take us seriously when we talk about safety. When we suggest something about new rules that the drivers think are unnecessary or unfair, the FIA does not listen to us so much.”[>
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Raikkonen added: “If anything happened I would support it, but there is no reason to strike and not race. It is not the right way to go, but it is not fair and hopefully a solution will be found.”[>
