Mosley tells drivers to pay or go pound sand

UPDATE (GMM) Sebastian Vettel could be among the three drivers who have broken ranks and paid for their mandatory 2009 Superlicense credentials, according to reports in the German press.

The news website motorsport-magazin.com said Vettel, 21, is rumored to have paid his fee to the governing FIA, contradicting the Grand Prix Drivers' Association's (GPDA) request that all drivers hold off amid their dispute over the rising costs.

At the Jerez test, the Red Bull driver is quoted to have told Auto Motor und Sport magazine: "What is more of a concern to us drivers is the way in which the FIA has dealt with us about this issue, rather than whether or not we are going to pay."

02/12/09 (GMM) Max Mosley has assured F1 drivers that future increases to the cost of their mandatory Superlicenses will be modest.

But the FIA president, in a letter to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), non-members of the drivers' body and Bernie Ecclestone, also warned those who do not want to pay for their documents that they can race in more affordable series.

The GPDA has asked drivers to hold firm amid the dispute and refuse to pay for their 2009 license, but it emerged this week that three drivers have broken ranks.

"If it helps I can confirm increases will be limited to inflation for the foreseeable future," Mosley wrote in the letter, copies of which were leaked to the media.

However, he showed no sign of agreeing to the drivers' demands in reverting to the lower fees of 2007, warning those who cannot afford the cost of a Superlicense to turn to motor racing's other categories.

"There are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living," Mosley wrote.

The teams pointed out in their own statement last week that the licenses paid by NASCAR drivers is just $4000.

Mosley, however, said it is "reasonable" that the world's most highly paid drivers also pay handsomely for their credential, arguing that safety advances championed by the FIA have "saved the lives of many" Superlicense holders.

"I do hope you will all see the fairness of our position and decide to continue to drive in the formula one world championship," he wrote.