The stand-off between the Grand Pr🐷ix Drivers' Association (GPDA) and FIA over the hike in Formula 1 licence fees in 2009 has taken a step in the latter's favour with the news that three drivers have paid up for the mandatory super-licences.

Last week it was revealed that the new increase in the price of the super-licence - in-line with inflation - has met with considerable opposition amongst the sport's competitors [see separate story - 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:click here]. In 2008, the governing body dramatically increased the cost꧅ of a licence from EUR1,690 ($2,165) to EUR10,000, with each point scored coming at a price of an additional EUR2,000, up from EUR447 in 2007.

Such a significant jump means reigning F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, for example, will have to pay a staggering $270,000 merely to be able to compete this year. The GPDA has advised its members not to agree until talks 🦹have been held with the FIA - describing the rise as 'unreasonable' and 'inherently unfair' - but three drivers, it now transpires, have gone against that counsel.

"We can confirm that the FIA has received payment from three drivers," a spokesman for the governing body told international news agency Reuters,🎉 whilst not divulging any further details or n🥀ames.

FIA President Max Mosley, however, gave short shrift to the GPDA's argument, and is adamant that no money means no racing - even if rumours of a drivers' strike during the curtain-raising Austral🌸ian Grand Prix in Melbourne at the end of next month should the dea💮dlock not be broken seem somewhat fanciful.

"In the present climate, somebody who is earning several million a year and doesn't want to spend one or two per cent 🌜of that to get a licence for his trade is not going to get a lot of sympathy," the 68-year-old contended.