Former Formula One driver Felipe Massa has filed a lawsuit in London against the FIA, Formula One Management, and Bernie Ecclestone in an attempt to claim the 2008 championship title. Massa is seeking up to $82 million in damages, including prize money lost and potential deals he could have secured as a champion.
Massa alleges that he was the rightful 2008 champion due to the 'Crashgate' incident, where Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to help his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso win the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite Renault being punished, the race results stood, leading to Lewis Hamilton narrowly beating Massa to the title by one point.
Massa's case will be heard at the King’s Bench Division of the High Court after months of preparatory steps and public allegations of a breach of contract. He expressed determination to fight for justice, stating that his lawyers are fully authorized to pursue the matter.
The filing aims to prove that the FIA failed to investigate the crash promptly in 2008, breaching its own regulations. Massa seeks a declaration that had the FIA acted appropriately, the results of the Singapore Grand Prix would have been canceled or adjusted, resulting in him winning the championship.
While the FIA declined to comment on the matter, Formula One Management and Bernie Ecclestone have not responded to requests for comment. Ecclestone previously admitted to learning about the deliberate crash during the 2008 season but chose not to investigate until after the season concluded.
Massa, who finished 13th in the Singapore Grand Prix due to the incident, maintains that he has additional evidence to support his case. He hinted at the possibility of filing related cases in other countries as well.
The legal battle initiated by Massa underscores his commitment to seeking justice and rectifying what he perceives as a historical injustice in the world of motorsport.
