Why would you take hits for doing something in a language you like?

I thought that native compilation was only for "Windows Store" apps. Do they now have that available for regular Windows desktop apps too (or more importantly, server-side Linux apps)?

I haven't played with it much, but it says in the FAQ[1] :

"Will Server/Desktop apps benefit from .NET Native and/or the Compiler in the Cloud?

Desktop apps are a very important part of our strategy. Initially, we are focusing on Windows Store apps with .NET Native. In the longer term we will continue to improve native compilation for all .NET applications."

[1] http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/vstudio/dn642499.aspx

I'd love to be able to write drivers in c#.

Xamarin for iOS compiles to native as far as I am aware.

Native code will be supported across the board for Windows 10 devices,

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/AnnouncingNET2015NETAsOpenSour...

Unless Windows Desktop is meant as store applications.