Dec.29 (GMM) 2008 championship runner-up Felipe Massa has dismissed suggestions that F1 teams' drive to cut costs should involve reducing driver salaries.
Team chiefs, including Massa's Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali, have indicated that discussions to modify existing driver contracts could take place.But 27-year-old Brazilian Massa, whose strong form in 2008 would ordinarily add to his market value, told reporters before Christmas that he is "not inclined" to Domenicali's plans."In a competitive sport like this, the driver plays a fundamental part, and the cost of the drivers are small compared to the total budget," he said during a press conference in Brazil.Massa is believed to earn about $11m, which is dwarfed by the at least $30m earned by his teammate, the 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, who finished this year's championship in third place.
