Brit aces rubbish strike-talk

Pair want resolution on fees dispute

Last updated: 20th June 2008

jenson button honda spanish gp 27/4/2008

Button: 'No strike'

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Formula One aces Jenson Button and David Coulthard do not believe their colleagues are set to strike at next month's British Grand Prix over a dispute with the sport's governing body.

Fernando Alonso suggested drivers could go on strike after FIA imposed steep increases on them to race.

They want a re-think after FIA president Max Mosley confirmed at the start of the year that the cost of the super licence, which allows drivers to compete in F1, would rise from £1,354 to £7,858.

In a double-whammy, the levy paid by drivers per point earned would also rise from £357 to £1,570.

Although this money goes towards maintaining safety standards, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association are in uproar and want discussions on the matter.

But British pair Button and Coulthard do not believe the dispute will come to a strike.

Honda star Button said: "I'm sure they could strike, but I don't think sponsors and contracts would allow them.

Harder

"It's obviously a lot harder on those drivers scoring hundreds of points every year.

"I think the shock for the drivers is that the fee has jumped so much this year compared to last year."

Veteran David Coulthard believes a compromise will be found, insisting that the possibility of a strike is "rubbish."

The Red Bull driver added: "Not every driver pays his super licence.

"Some of the drivers have an agreement in their contract where the team pay the super licence.

"As it's a form of income for the FIA they have decided 'well, we will take part of that from the drivers'.

Not fair

"But it's affecting some and not others, which is not entirely fair, so it needs to be discussed and understood."

A meeting on the matter was due to be held between Mosley and the GPDA in Monaco but was cancelled due to the furore surrounding the president's private life at the time.

A FIA spokesman said Mosley wrote to the GPDA on 6th June stating he would be happy to meet for talks but has yet to receive a reply.