Getting a higher level driver

Hi,
I want to hire a lv17 driver (who used to be in a rookie team). It just keeps saying I need lv17

I know it can be done as the team in question has two lv17+ drivers now and the owner is only lv6

How long has the team in question employed said drivers?

Level 6 is the point where drivers level up more quickly than managers, but managers are allowed to hire drivers of a higher level if the driver has been employed by the team in the past. For instance, if you level up to Level 8 but your driver is Level 12, and then you let him go and hire someone else for a bit, you can re-hire the original driver I believe as long as no one else has hired him in between, even if you are still Level 8.

They had him since 26th October 2014, the teams first signing.

not to worry I noticed he is only a 1 talent :D

I observed the said team and is a bit confused as well.