Legal Showdown: Massa's 2008 F1 Title Controversy Takes Center Stage

Felipe Massa is challenging his 2008 Formula One championship loss in a London court, alleging that intentional actions during the Singapore Grand Prix, known as 'crashgate,' contributed to his downfall. He argues the results should be annulled, claiming that former F1 executives knowingly overlooked the incident.

Felipe Massa is contesting the outcome of the 2008 Formula One championship in London's High Court, arguing that a deliberate crash during the Singapore Grand Prix unjustly influenced the title decision. The incident, labeled 'crashgate,' saw Nelson Piquet Jr. crash to aid teammate Fernando Alonso's victory, affecting Massa's chances.

Massa, the former Ferrari driver, alleges that ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and then-FIA president Max Mosley were aware of the plot but did not act. His legal team asserts that Massa would have clinched the championship had the race results been nullified. The case challenges both the integrity of the sport and the timing of legal proceedings.

Ecclestone and the FIA argue that Massa's team blunders in Singapore, including a costly pitstop error, led to his defeat. They insist the lawsuit is untimely, but Massa contends that only recent revelations from a 2023 interview prompted his legal action. The hearing's decision is awaited, with substantial financial implications at stake.

(With inputs from agencies.)