Driver Funding

[astracrazy]

Theres been alot of talk about sponsorship etc lately. Davidson, Kobayashi, Campos, USF1. How does it all work?

Maybe a stupid question i know. I know in lower formulas there are fees to be paid but what about in F1?

Where do drivers start getting paid if they have to pay to be in the team? Like when did Alonso not have to worry about sponsorship backing to get a drive?

Can someone explain?

[Caito]

Well, in formula 1 there are drivers who still have to pay.

Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez, who suposedly signed for USF1 was asked 8 million dollars. I believe he got them all, at least when he "signed" he already had 6 of the 8.

Some of them where from ACA( argentinean automobile club ) some from sponsors, some from his pocket.

[sticky667]

Last I heard, Sutil is still a pay driver.

To answer your question, most drivers still have to pay for their super licenses and they even have to pay for their results. http://www.f1technical.net/news/11554

The point when you don't have to pay (out of your own pocket or with your personal sponsors) for a drive is when you can bring market value and brand exposure to any team for increased revenue of the existing sponsors and to attract new sponsors. Money is the number one reason they are employed, not because they are the best driver in the world. They need sponsorship money in order to staff the house and build the car.

Alonso still has massive sponsorship from multiple brands, he's not racing on his Ferrari salary alone. Hence the huge Santander deal.