Felipe Massa recently filed a lawsuit against Formula 1 (F1) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in an attempt to challenge the outcome of the 2008 World Championship. The championship, which was won by Lewis Hamilton, was surrounded by controversy due to the Crashgate Scandal during the Singaporean Grand Prix. This scandal resulted in Massa losing out on the championship by just one point. After receiving little assistance from F1 and FIA, the 42-year-old driver officially took legal action against the organizations.
A well-known F1 analyst has shared his perspective on Massa’s lawsuit. He pointed out that Massa encountered issues during a pitstop, which ultimately affected the outcome of the race. The analyst emphasized that the 2008 race was far from being a well-executed event. He also mentioned that if Massa had a podium finish and the race was less chaotic, there could have been a possibility of challenging the results.
As a result, it may prove challenging for Massa to disqualify the Singaporean Grand Prix. The issues that occurred during the race were the main contributing factors to Massa’s inability to score enough points. Despite this, there is an argument that he deserved the points he earned. However, nullifying the race results would be a significant development and could set a precedent for the future of Formula 1.
Massa has previously stated that his motivation for pursuing the lawsuit is not solely driven by financial gain. However, he is seeking a compensation of $76 million from FIA and F1. The analyst highlighted how few people acknowledged Massa’s genuine intentions behind the lawsuit. Nevertheless, he expressed his belief in Massa’s sincerity, stating that money was not his primary motive.
The analyst further elaborated on Massa’s objective in filing the lawsuit and commended the former World Champion for his bravery in taking legal action against F1 and FIA. He acknowledged that Massa had a valid point throughout the entire legal process, which unfolded during the 2024 season.
Ultimately, only time will reveal the outcome of Massa’s lawsuit. He has raised a significant argument, and the championship legacy of Lewis Hamilton is also at stake. If the results were to be overturned, the seven-time world champion would lose a substantial portion of his Formula 1 legacy.