In the current economic climate, it’s hard for top flight racing drivers to get away with saying anything about money.

In December we had Felipe Massa coming out against a Formula 1 wage cap, and earlier this week Casey Stoner wasn’t keen on the same for MotoGP. That was tricky enough.

But on the day the UK recession becomes official, it’s extraordinarily bad timing for Formula 1 drivers to be disputing an inflationary increase in the cost of the FIA Super License required to take part in the series. Admittedly, the cost ballooned last year – but it was accepted.

I think the voice of reason is James Thompson, currently looking for a drive for 2009 following N.Technology’s withdrawal from the WTCC. He told autosport.com:

“You can count yourself lucky if you get paid to go racing.”

Formula 1 drivers would be well advised to remember that during these times, or risk completely alienating the public.