Massa officially files lawsuit over F1 2008 'Crashgate' scandal
Felipe Massa sues FIA, FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone over 'crashgate', alleging mishandling of the 2008 scandal cost him the F1 title. Seeks £60-150M for losses incurred.
Crashgate revisited
Felipe Massa has launched a high-profile lawsuit against the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone over the infamous 'crashgate' scandal that marred the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Brazilian alleges that the governing body failed to promptly investigate Nelson Piquet Jr's deliberate crash, which enabled teammate Fernando Alonso to secure victory, ultimately costing Massa the 2008 F1 Drivers' Championship.
Key allegations and legal arguments
According to representatives from Brazilian law firm Vieira Rezende Advogados, Massa is seeking legal declarations that the FIA breached its own regulations by neglecting to swiftly probe Piquet Jr's crash.
His legal team contends that had the FIA acted appropriately, Massa would have been crowned the 2008 world champion.
Massa's suit also alleges that Ecclestone and FOM were complicit in the FIA's failure, leading to significant financial losses for the former Ferrari driver.
FIA under scrutiny
The lawsuit comes at a time when the FIA is already facing intense scrutiny over allegations of attempted result manipulation in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
A whistleblower has claimed that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem sought to overturn a penalty against Fernando Alonso, while also attempting to prevent the Las Vegas street circuit from being homologated for last year's race.
In an official statement, Massa's legal team stated,
"Recent events naturally demonstrate that issues of transparency and integrity in Formula 1 remain relevant, and it is clear that serious work is needed to restore its credibility and long-term future."
Compensation sought and next steps
Reports suggest that Massa is seeking compensation worth between £60-150 million for the losses incurred due to the alleged negligence and complicity surrounding the 2008 'crashgate' scandal.
After failed attempts at an amicable resolution, the former Ferrari driver was left with no choice but to initiate legal proceedings.
FOM has declined to comment on the matter.
As the legal battle unfolds, the motorsport world eagerly awaits the outcome of this landmark case, which could have far-reaching implications for the sport's governance and integrity.
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