By Joe Murphy
Former F1 driver Felipe Massa officially filed a lawsuit in London yesterday, one against the FIA, Formula 1 Management and Bernie Ecclestone over the fallout of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Brazilian who raced for Ferrari during this time is seeking up to $82m in damages. The justification for this amount is that it factors in lost prize money and other potential deals he would have obtained as an F1 World Champion, a titke Lewis Hamilton went on to famously (or infamously if you’re Massa) claim.
The Brazilian has frequently argued that he was indeed the “rightful” 2008 world champion due to the incident known as Crash gate. During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, it has been found that Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to help Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso win the race. This accident led to a Safety Car during which Massa fell from leader to a 13th-placed finish. This was, however, exaserbated by a classic Ferrari pit stop which went in no way according to the plan.
Unquestionably, however, the incident did have a significant impact on the outcome of the drivers’ title race. Felipe Massa missed out by a point when Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock at the final corner of the final lap of the season at Interlagos.
Massa’s official law firm; Vieira Rezende said in a statement that if the FIA had only “acted properly, Mr. Massa would have won the Drivers’ Championship that year”.
The official statement continues as such:
“Mr. Massa also seeks damages for the significant financial loss he has suffered due to the FIA’s failure, in which Mr. Ecclestone and FOM were also complicit, As Mr. Ecclestone has admitted, there was ‘enough information in time to investigate the matter’ in 2008 and ‘cancel the race in Singapore. Mr. Ecclestone further affirmed that, had the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix been cancelled, ‘Felipe Massa would have become world champion’ and that Mr. Massa ‘was cheated out of the title he deserved’.”
Crucially, the final part if the statement implies that Massa has already trued to reach common ground with F1 representatives. “Attempts to find an amicable resolution have been unsuccessful, leaving Mr. Massa with no choice but to initiate legal proceedings.”
The lawsuit also pointed towards the recent allegations of race interference as grounds for a case; “Recent events naturally demonstrate that issues of transparency and integrity in Formula One remain relevant, and it is clear that serious work is needed to restore its credibility and long-term future.”
Formula One Management and the FIA declined to comment when contacted by Wheel2Wheel Reports.
So, what happens next? Well, the case will be heard. One thing that’s for sure is that Massa won’t be crowned the 2008 World Champion. We’re such a thing to happen, then Formula 1 would be in all sorts of unchartered territory. Lewis Hamilton would look to claim the 2021 world title back and even Michael Schumacher could lose one or two.
What is much more likely is a financial settlement that gets F1’s name out of the mud and gives a feeling of justice to Massa and his entourage. Is this just bitterness from a narrowly beat, never-to-be World Champion or does the Brazilian have a point? Let me know your thoughts below…
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 