Formula One's governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Monday that it has agreed to reduce the cost of drivers' super licenses from 2010. A number of drivers had complained that the cost of the licenses was too high prior to the beginning of the 2009 Formula One Championship, which starts in Melbourne, Australia next Sunday. “Following a very positive meeting between FIA President Max Mosley and representatives of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), a proposal will be made to the World Motor Sport Council to revise super license fees for drivers in the 2010 championship,” said a statement from the FIA. “A reduced fee would reflect the major cost reductions that will be brought into the sport for next season. A number of other issues were discussed and the FIA has agreed to meet representatives of the GPDA on a regular basis to maintain what promises to be a constructive dialogue.” The basic cost of the super licence has risen from 1,690 euros in 2007 to 10,400 euros in 2009, with an additional charge based on the number of points amassed during the season going up from 447 euros per point in 2007 to 2,100 euros per point in 2009. As a result, British world champion Lewis Hamilton will have to pay over 215,000 euros to pilot his McLaren in this year's championship. The surprise success stories from last season, such as Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull, formerly Toro Rosso) and Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber), who were on lower salaries than their more experienced rivals, were hit particularly hard by the increasing cost of the licenses. ‘Row is embarrassing' The row over the points system for this season's Formula One championship is embarrassing, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has said. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said last week that the winner of the most races would take this season's drivers' title but then appeared to perform a U-turn after pressure from the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA). FOTA wanted a Grand Prix winner to receive 12 points instead of 10 and now it appears that last year's points system will remain. “It seems embarrassing to me what has happened in the last few days,” Domenicali told Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport. “We wanted a bigger difference between the winner and the others, instead it stays like 2008. We have to have patience.” A row over diffusers is also brewing before Sunday's season-opening race in Australia. FIA President Max Mosley expects teams to protest the rear diffusers on the Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams cars. “We are convinced that certain interpretations that have been applied do not correspond to the nature of the rules,” Domenicali said. “There needs to be a great sense of responsibility on everyone's part. I hope this issue can be resolved quickly.”
