F1 News: Massa Sues Ecclestone, FIA And FOM In Fight For Hamilton's 2008 Championship
Felipe Massa has officially filed a lawsuit against Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and the FOM, challenging the outcome of the 2008 F1 season. The Brazilian racer's legal action focuses on the controversial 2008 Singapore Grand Prix and its implications for the championship results.
Key Takeaways:
- Felipe Massa has initiated legal proceedings in London against Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and FOM, disputing the 2008 F1 championship results.
- The lawsuit centres on the non-annulment of the 2008 Singapore GP, influenced by Nelson Piquet Jr's deliberate crash.
- Massa seeks compensation ranging from £64 to £150 million and demands the FIA acknowledge regulatory breaches.
After months of anticipation, Felipe Massa has taken significant legal steps, lodging a complaint at the Superior Court of Justice in London, according to a report from Ge.Globo.com. This legal challenge encompasses both the International Motor Sport Federation (FIA) and Formula One Management (FOM), as well as Bernie Ecclestone, the former head of the sport. At the heart of Massa's lawsuit is the contentious 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a race marred by controversy and alleged manipulation, which Massa asserts unjustly affected the championship's outcome. Massa has commented:
"I always said I would fight until the end. As the FIA and FOM have decided to do nothing, we will seek the correction of this historic injustice in the courts.
"The matter is now with the lawyers and they are fully authorized to do whatever is necessary so that justice in the sport is done."
Reports suggest Massa is pursuing substantial financial redress in his dual legal actions, with claims potentially reaching up to £150 million. This bold move stems from his conviction that the FIA flouted its own guidelines by not probing into Nelson Piquet Jr's intentional crash, which, if investigated, could have seen Massa crowned as champion.
The controversy revolves around Piquet Jr's orchestrated accident designed to advantage his then-teammate at Renault, Fernando Alonso. This incident critically impacted Massa, who, despite starting in pole position, encountered a pit stop blunder and a subsequent penalty, plummeting to 13th place and ultimately forfeiting the championship by a mere point to Lewis Hamilton.
Massa's legal strategy commenced with a formal letter, a prerequisite under UK court protocols, wherein the FIA and FOM are implicated as conspirators in the saga, causing Massa considerable professional and financial harm.
In the interim, Massa's legal team has issued preservation notices to various stakeholders, including Ferrari, Renault (now Alpine), and former Renault executives, urging the safeguarding of potential evidence.
Massa's quest for justice has garnered the support of Jean Todt, his former Ferrari mentor and ex-FIA president, who has voiced backing for the annulment of the contentious Singapore Grand Prix and reflected on Ferrari's potential alternative actions at the time.