F1: Five drivers meet with Ecclestone

By GMM

Five formula one drivers on Saturday met with Bernie Ecclestone after qualifying for the French grand prix.

Upon request, the F1 chief executive met with GPDA stalwarts Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren test driver), David Coulthard and Mark Webber (Red Bull), Fernando Alonso (Renault) and Robert Kubica (BMW-Sauber).

It is almost certain they discussed the thorny issue about the rising cost of their F1 'superlicenses', the mandatory FIA document sanctioning their participation at official grand prix events.

Drivers determined in their regular GPDA meeting at the Magny-Cours circuit on Friday that meetings with the sport's officials should now become a priority.

But Grand Prix Drivers' Association chairman de la Rosa insists that reports of a threatened strike for the Silverstone race in two weeks were "just rumours".

"One thing that is clear is that we never suggested a strike," he added.

"We're just not happy about the way (the price increase) was implemented. All of this talk of strike has just been rumours."