Massa takes F1 and FIA to court over 2008 title

Felipe Massa has taken the unprecedented step of going to court over the outcome of the 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Almost a year on from revealing he was considering such a move, Massa has filed a lawsuit in the London High Court against the FIA, FOM and Bernie Ecclestone over the infamous 2008 Singapore Grand Prix “crash gate” scandal.

In Formula 1’s maiden race under the Singapore lights, Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed on the exit of turn 17.

The incident triggered a race-changing Safety Car that helped teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.

With Lewis Hamilton finishing third and Massa down in a point-less 13th due to a botched refuelling pit stop by Ferrari, the result had a massive say on one of the closest championship battles ever.

Despite Massa emotionally winning the finale on home turf, Hamilton’s last-corner heroics to get by Timo Glock meant the then McLaren youngster clinched the crown by a single point.

But since last year the Brazilian has claimed he was the “rightful” 2008 world champion due to the “crash gate” incident.

“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,” a statement read.

“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’.

“Attempts to find an amicable resolution have been unsuccessful, leaving Mr. Massa with no choice but to initiate legal proceedings.

“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.

“Although the FIA investigation in 2009 concluded that it had ‘never before considered charges as serious’, even after the revelations brought forward last year, the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix still stand and remain officially sanctioned by the FIA.”

Reportedly Massa is seeking a minimum of $124 million in damages according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. This included the prize money he lost and other potential deals he would have obtained as a F1 champion.

“I always said I was going to fight until the end,” Massa said in the statement. 

“Since the FIA and FOM decided not to do anything, we will seek to right this historical injustice in court. 

“The matter is now for our lawyers and they are fully authorised to do whatever is necessary so justice in sport is served.”

Last year Ecclestone claimed both he and then FIA president Max Mosley were aware of the potential breach at Singapore during the closing stages of the 2008 season, but decided not to do anything.

Instead he chose not to investigate “crashgate” until after the season ended when it was too late to change the standings due to the FIA stating that once the world championship trophies are presented at the end of season gala, then there are no grounds for overturning them.

But now the fate of the 2008 world title now appears set to be decided in the courtroom.

Image: Motorsport Images

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