i've seen that though, particularly in interviews. there's not many drivers been educated and brought up in the right way to be aware of what they've got! actually that goes for everyone, drivers or otherwise. if the chequebook fairy pays for everything without any reality checks how can you expect a kid to connect the dots?
and you've got to keep the team sweet. doesn't thanking them for the opportunity to work with them come under the same banner as buying a couple of rounds and getting in the ice creams on a hot day? particularly in a team-issued press release