We never truly hear very much concerning the details that go into a drivers contract and I read a new article that said, "Trulli deal few details away" or something to that nature. That made me wonder, what could the "details" be?
So, the point of this thread is to hopefully put together what we know about driver contracts, as well as test driver contracts and make a sort of database as to what could and does possibly go into a driver/tester contract.
A drivers contract obviously involves the amount of years and the amount of money, but we constantly hear about "performance clauses", "extension options" (some held by the teams, others by the drivers). For test drivers, it'll involve maybe a "option for a race seat in 20xx", but what else is there?
What part do sponsors play in the contracts? Not only just the money they're willing to pay, but are there also restrictions as to the drivers freedom (ie. Can a driver be sued if he doesnt make sponsor appearences?)?
What are some possible ways a contract can be breached by the driver and as well as the team?
Do some contracts have silly inclusions like showing up for the team bosses daughters 13th birthday party? Have there been any cases of things like that in the past?
Drivers Contracts
(What does a drivers contract consist of?)
Testers Contracts
(What does a testers contract consist of?)
Hopefully we can put something together so we can understand what some of the "details" are when contracts are discussed.
What goes into a Formula 1 driver contract?
Started by
qwazy
, Jul 22 2006 23:38
6 replies to this topic
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#2
nigel red5
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 09:20
It's always difficult to know. Specific details of partial information from driver contracts only tend to slip out years later.
However, your flippant notion about the 12th birthday party and such might not be so far fetched as it would seem. Things even as far down to what roadcar the driver has available to him to get to and from the given circuit every day, and how many family members (if any) you are allowed to bring to each event.......... a prime example of that would be JPM. Teams and esp team management tend to see the driver turning up with a busload of friends and family to each and every race as baggage - not just in terms of them being there, wandering round the back of the garage and the paddock getting in the way, but also in terms of logistics have to sort out in some cases accomodation and such for these people as well.
There's lots of little things that you would'nt think of that go into these contracts. Back in late 1990, Nigel Mansell signed on to go back to Williams for two years (91-92). Not only was it written through that he would have exclusive use of the spare car, but even details like having 2 cars at a test session were included. The thought being that if one car broke down, then Nigel could jump straight into the other car on a test day, and lose no track time out of it.
Also with PR and sponsorship growing increasingly over the last 20 years, to what is now ridiculous levels of political correctness, the there would also be paper and ink given to such areas as how many corporate functions per weekend or per season that the driver must attend, some dos and donts regarding criticism of the team, any of the connected sponsors / suppliers etc.
It would be interesting to get hold of a driver contract, just for the sake of being nosey and having a read. They most certainly are'nt 2 sides of A4 paper....
However, your flippant notion about the 12th birthday party and such might not be so far fetched as it would seem. Things even as far down to what roadcar the driver has available to him to get to and from the given circuit every day, and how many family members (if any) you are allowed to bring to each event.......... a prime example of that would be JPM. Teams and esp team management tend to see the driver turning up with a busload of friends and family to each and every race as baggage - not just in terms of them being there, wandering round the back of the garage and the paddock getting in the way, but also in terms of logistics have to sort out in some cases accomodation and such for these people as well.
There's lots of little things that you would'nt think of that go into these contracts. Back in late 1990, Nigel Mansell signed on to go back to Williams for two years (91-92). Not only was it written through that he would have exclusive use of the spare car, but even details like having 2 cars at a test session were included. The thought being that if one car broke down, then Nigel could jump straight into the other car on a test day, and lose no track time out of it.
Also with PR and sponsorship growing increasingly over the last 20 years, to what is now ridiculous levels of political correctness, the there would also be paper and ink given to such areas as how many corporate functions per weekend or per season that the driver must attend, some dos and donts regarding criticism of the team, any of the connected sponsors / suppliers etc.
It would be interesting to get hold of a driver contract, just for the sake of being nosey and having a read. They most certainly are'nt 2 sides of A4 paper....
#3
Group B
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 09:50
Forymark should be able to help you out; he has exclusive access to several drivers contracts, including RB and FM. 
#4
jcbc3
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 13:59
a prime example of 'minutiae' in a contract is the fact that Ron Dennis can claim breach of contract from JPM for telling the world what he will be driving next year. It may be fair or not, but JPM signed the contract with open eyes, so he can't really complain.
#5
WGD706
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 14:44
I'm sure that many contracts also have clauses that stipulate what a driver is NOT allowed to do, such as riding motorcycles while playing tennis or some such activity which might cause physical harm to said driver, thereby depriving the party of the first part of said driver's services.
#6
kayemod
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 14:56
Originally posted by jcbc3
a prime example of 'minutiae' in a contract is the fact that Ron Dennis can claim breach of contract from JPM for telling the world what he will be driving next year. It may be fair or not, but JPM signed the contract with open eyes, so he can't really complain.
I'd be pretty surprised if all F1 contracts didn't have a clause like that in them, I'm sure it isn't only McLaren.
#7
rhm
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Posted 23 July 2006 - 16:25
Originally posted by WGD706
I'm sure that many contracts also have clauses that stipulate what a driver is NOT allowed to do, such as riding motorcycles while playing tennis or some such activity which might cause physical harm to said driver, thereby depriving the party of the first part of said driver's services.
Although Ron said after the infamous 'tennis' incident, "I'm not bothered about what the drivers do in their own time, we have one rule - if you don't drive you don't get paid".
