F1 stars threaten strike over £7,500 'driving licence'

Several high-profile names including Lewis Hamilton and former double world champion Fernando Alonso led the protests against the 'ridiculous' 500 per cent hike in the cost of buying the annual 'Super Licence' - the piece of paper which permits them to compete in the world championship.

Hamilton: backing a boycott

They are demanding that FIA president Max Mosley explain why each driver is being charged a basic rate of £7,500 (increased from £1,300 in 2007) and £1,500 per point scored in the previous season (increased from £350).

It means Kimi Raikkonen, who won the world title with 110 points, has spent £172,500 for the privilege of defending his title. However, it is considerably less than one hundredth of his £25million Ferrari salary.

Alonso confirmed that the drivers' 'trade union' - the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - are angry. Speaking before Sunday's French Grand Prix, he said: 'It is a very serious matter. It is a ridiculous price. We all agree with that. I don't know what the solution will be, but a strike at Silverstone is one possibility.'

Hamilton added his weight to a potential boycott, saying: 'I've always said that even though I'm not a member of the GPDA they have my support and this is something I agree with.'

Alonso claims the GPDA have approached the FIA three times to discuss the matter, insisting that if the rise could be accounted for by safety improvements the drivers would be 'happy'.

A meeting between the GPDA and Mosley was scheduled for May's Monaco Grand Prix only to be called off due to the fallout from the president's involvement in a sex scandal. The FIA, for their part, say they wrote to the GPDA two weeks ago to reschedule talks but have not heard back.

In truth, the chances of the drivers sitting out the British Grand Prix on July 6 are remote. Their contracts will not allow it. Their protest is more likely to be a token gesture, such as boycotting the pre-race drivers' parade or a practice session.

Even those threats might melt away, with Raikkonen suggesting that a strike is 'never going to happen'. It leaves the 20-strong grid poorly placed to reach a unanimous decision.

Raikkonen's fellow drivers would do well to follow his lead by seeking 'a nice solution'. If not they risk the public's wrath, given the massive money they earn.

Alonso and Hamilton, for example, each take £10m in salary alone home to their tax exiles. Even midfield drivers, such as Scotland's David Coulthard, earn on average around £4m. Some back-markers are on nominal fees, but they do not pay so much under Mosley's controversial sliding scale.