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Jan
14th

F1: Davide Valsecchi admits money rules Formula 1 driver market

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Adapted from GMM

As fears about Lotus F1 Team's health grow, last year's reserve driver, Italian Davide Valsecchi has revealed he has not yet been paid yet by the Enstone based team.

Davide Valsecchi admitted last week he is now likely to exit.

"After a 2013 season in which I travelled a lot but did not get on the track, I want to go back to wearing overalls and a helmet," he had said.

Valsecchi admits he is likely to leave F1 because powerful pay-drivers "such as the Mexicans or Venezuelans" have priced drivers like him out of the market.

"I don't conceal my desire to get into IndyCar," he admitted.

F1 Lotus E21 Davide Valsecchi
Davide Valsecchi aboard the Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed Lotus, having lost Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari because the Finn wasn't paid, is struggling to raise its more than $2 million FIA entry fee for 2014.

Now, Valsecchi has admitted the team has failed even to pay his small 2013 salary.

"According to my contract my salary was like that of a waiter," he revealed. "They haven't paid me yet. I'm sure that as soon as they'll be in a position to do so, they'll solve their debt."

"I'm very grateful to Lotus for having chosen me as third driver, without asking anything in return. I can't complain," he said.

"Try to look for a job as third driver without paying a single euro! We're talking about a team that could sell a seat for at least two or three million euros,” he concluded.


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