Felipe Massa files a lawsuit against FIA, Formula 1, and Bernie Ecclestone, alleging that the crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in which he was involved, resulted in him losing the world title.

March 11, 2024

Felipe Massa files a lawsuit against FIA, Formula 1, and Bernie Ecclestone, alleging that the crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in which he was involved, resulted in him losing the world title.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa is pursuing a compensation claim exceeding $80 million against the FIA, Formula 1, and Bernie Ecclestone regarding the 2008 Crashgate controversy. Massa, who was in the lead during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, alleges that the deliberate crash orchestrated by Nelson Piquet to assist his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso ultimately led to his loss in the race.

Felipe Massa has initiated legal proceedings in London against the FIA, Formula One Management, and Bernie Ecclestone regarding the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Massa is pursuing a compensation claim of up to $82 million, encompassing the prize money he forfeited and potential opportunities he might have secured as an F1 champion. Representatives for the former Ferrari driver confirmed the filing of the lawsuit in the London High Court on Monday. Formula One Management and the FIA refrained from commenting when approached by Sky Sports News.

Since last year, the Brazilian driver has asserted his claim as the "rightful" 2008 world champion, attributing it to the incident known as Crashgate during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. In this event, Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to aid his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso in winning the race.

As a consequence of Piquet's crash, a Safety Car period ensued, during which a mishandled Ferrari pit stop resulted in Massa, who was leading at the time, plummeting to a 13th-place finish. This incident had a profound impact on the outcome of the drivers' title race, with Massa narrowly missing the championship by a single point as Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock on the final corner of the last lap of the season in Brazil.

In a statement, the law firm Vieira Rezende asserted that if the FIA had acted appropriately, Mr. Massa would have secured the Drivers' Championship that year.

"Mr. Massa is also pursuing damages for the substantial financial setbacks he incurred due to the FIA's failure, with Mr. Ecclestone and FOM being implicated in this negligence," the statement conveyed.

"As Mr. Ecclestone has openly acknowledged, there was 'sufficient information in a timely manner to investigate the matter' in 2008 and 'cancel the race in Singapore.'

"Mr. Ecclestone additionally affirmed that, had the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix been nullified, 'Felipe Massa would have been crowned world champion,' underscoring that Mr. Massa 'was unfairly deprived of the deserved title.'

"Efforts to reach a mutually agreeable resolution have proven unsuccessful, compelling Mr. Massa to commence legal proceedings.

"Recent developments underscore the ongoing relevance of transparency and integrity concerns within Formula One, highlighting the necessity for substantial efforts to restore credibility and secure its enduring future."

"Despite the gravity of the charges, the FIA's 2009 investigation, even after the revelations brought forward last year, concluded that it had 'never before considered charges as serious.' Strikingly, the official position maintained by the FIA is that the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which were implicated in the infamous Crashgate scandal, continue to stand unaltered and remain officially sanctioned by the organization."

In the preceding year, Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of Formula 1, disclosed that both he and then-FIA president Max Mosley were cognizant of a potential breach during the 2008 campaign but consciously refrained from taking any immediate action. Ecclestone further revealed that the decision not to investigate the incident was deliberate and was deferred until the conclusion of the season, rendering it practically impossible to modify the standings or address the issue.

This revelation has left Felipe Massa contemplating potential legal avenues to challenge the outcome of the 2008 season. In light of these developments, Sky Sports News has reached out to representatives of Bernie Ecclestone for their comments on the matter. The situation underscores the enduring relevance of transparency and integrity concerns within the realm of Formula One, emphasizing the necessity for substantial efforts to restore credibility and ensure the long-term viability of the sport.

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Felipe Massa files a lawsuit against FIA, Formula 1, and Bernie Ecclestone, alleging that the crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in which he was involved, resulted in him losing the world title.

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