The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix controversy, a pivotal moment in Formula 1 history, continues to resurface 16 years later as Felipe Massa seeks justice for what he believes was a manipulated race. Massa, who led the race before a crash triggered a Safety Car deployment, ultimately lost out due to a pit stop error that cost him valuable time. The ensuing chaos allowed Fernando Alonso to secure victory, while Massa’s championship hopes crumbled.
Massa, convinced the race was deliberately manipulated, has now launched legal action against the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The Brazilian claims that despite Ecclestone’s knowledge of the incident, he failed to act, hindering a full investigation that could have altered the course of the championship. Critics have pointed to Ecclestone’s silence as a key factor in the outcome that saw Lewis Hamilton win the title by a single point over Massa.
Massa recently disclosed that Ecclestone, now 93, encouraged him to take legal action if he felt wronged. “Yes. He said I’m entitled to go to court. I know his style. I know how he is. And I know so many things that happen in Formula 1 that a lot of people may not know,” Massa explained, alluding to the complex politics behind the scenes of the sport.
The 43-year-old Brazilian insists that his legal battle is not against Hamilton, whom he respects as a seven-time world champion. Instead, Massa’s focus is on what he views as an unfair manipulation of the race results and the FIA’s failure to act. “To be honest, the fight is not with Lewis. Lewis has nothing to do with this fight. The fight is what happened in the race, which was not a correct thing for the sport,” Massa clarified.
If Massa’s case is successful, it could lead to a dramatic rewriting of the history books, potentially stripping Hamilton of his first championship and awarding the title to Massa. Massa’s lawsuit not only seeks recognition as the rightful 2008 F1 champion but also demands compensation for the financial and career losses he suffered as a result of the controversial race outcome.
The case highlights the lingering tensions and political dynamics that continue to influence Formula 1 long after the checkered flag has dropped. Whether Massa’s quest for justice will yield results remains to be seen, but the Brazilian is determined to shine a light on what he views as a significant injustice in the sport’s history.
