Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa has made it clear that he won’t back down in his legal pursuit of justice over the controversial 2008 championship results, despite mounting legal costs. Massa’s lawsuit against Formula 1 and the FIA hinges on the notorious “Crashgate” scandal from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which he argues should have been removed from the standings—effectively making him the rightful world champion.
Massa has recruited a team of legal experts to strengthen his case, though he admitted the financial burden has been far greater than anticipated. The legal battle, which Massa now sees as a major part of his life, has proven to be both a costly and emotionally draining experience.
“I never thought I was going to be part of such a thing in my life,” Massa confessed, emphasizing the unexpected toll the lawsuit has taken.
While fighting for the 2008 title through legal channels, Massa has had to spend a significant amount of money. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that his quest for justice will soon come to a conclusion.
“It’s not easy. It’s also very expensive, a lot of money, so I really hope things finish soon. But we’ve been waiting so long now for justice, we have to hope the truth comes out and there will be justice.”
The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix became infamous when it was revealed in 2009 that Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. had deliberately crashed under team orders to help his teammate Fernando Alonso win the race. This manipulated result gave Lewis Hamilton crucial points, eventually leading to his first world championship. Massa, who lost the title by a single point, argues that had the race been annulled, he would have been the rightful champion.
In a bombshell admission, former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone revealed that the sport’s governing body knew about the scandal during the 2008 season but chose to delay action until the following year. Massa’s frustration stems from the fact that this delay severely impacted his career and denied him the championship.
“For something that was not part of the sport, it punished me big time,” Massa reflected, underscoring the personal and professional damage he suffered.
While Massa remains determined to fight, he has faced a lack of public support from much of the F1 community. However, he is pressing forward in the hope that his legal battle will eventually bring long-awaited justice in one of Formula 1’s most controversial championship outcomes.
