By GMM

The FIA has radically increased the price of obtaining a formula one 'super license'; the mandatory credential for participating as a driver in official sessions at grands prix.

Previous to 2008, super licences cost just 1,690 plus 447 euros per point scored in the most recent world championship.

Former reigning world champion Fernando Alonso's 2007 credential, therefore, cost the Spaniard just under 62,000 euros.

But according to the British print magazine Autosport, the World Motor Sport Council has approved an increase in the cost of a super license to 10,000 euros, plus 2,000 euros per point.

New world champion Kimi Raikkonen's 2008 license, therefore, will cost him 230,000 euros.