Seventeen years after the famous “Crashgate” in Singapore 2008, Felipe Massa is demanding justice against the FIA, the FOM and Bernie Ecclestone. Much to the dismay of Lewis Hamilton?
Seventeen years after the 2008 season, the title battle between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa resurfaces in court. The Brazilian driver, beaten by a point in a legendary final in Brazil, accuses the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM) and the former boss of the discipline Bernie Ecclestone of having covered up the consequences of “Crashgate”. The case is now in the hands of the High Court in London.
At the center of the file: the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, marked by the intentional accident of Nelson Piquet Jr., intended to favor the victory of Fernando Alonso. This crash orchestrated by Renault had turned the race upside down, costing Massa dearly, trapped by a catastrophic pit stop, while Hamilton took the opportunity to pick up decisive points. At the end of the season, the Briton took the world crown by just one point.
Felipe Massa claims that the FIA and F1 leaders at the time deliberately delayed any investigation in order to preserve the image of the championship. His lawyer, Nick De Marco, even mentions a
“deliberate concealment” orchestrated by the highest levels of sport. The former Ferrari driver is now demanding around $90 million in damages for moral and financial harm, and is seeking official recognition of fault on the part of the FIA.
Hamilton more efficient
On the other hand, the defense denies any responsibility. Lawyers for Ecclestone, the FOM and the FIA reject the accusations outright, citing a file “based on assumptions”. “Mr Massa’s poor performance in this race was not linked to the crash, nor was Lewis Hamilton’s good performance”retorted David Quest, Ecclestone’s representative, echoed by Motorsport. FOM lawyer Anneliese Day added: “The simple fact is that Mr Hamilton performed better over the whole season. »
The preliminary hearing concluded on Friday in London. The British judge must now determine whether Felipe Massa’s appeal is admissible or not. If given the green light, the case could lead to a historic trial, with a burning question: seventeen years later,
Lewis Hamilton could he really see his very first world champion title taken away?
