The lawsuit filed by Felipe Massa against the Formula 1 leadership can proceed, as ruled by the London High Court. The verdict is an initial victory for the former Brazilian driver, who is seeking over 80 million dollars in damages due to the Crashgate scandal. According to Massa, the handling of the scandal led to him losing the 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton.
Following an interview with Bernie Ecclestone in 2023, in which the former F1 supremo admitted he intentionally wanted to cover up Crashgate, Massa took legal action. He sued Ecclestone, Formula 1, and the FIA for their negligence during the scandal. Crashgate refers to the deliberate crash by Nelson Piquet Jr. during the 2008 Singapore GP, which secured Fernando Alonso‘s victory for Renault. Massa argues that if the organization had conducted a thorough investigation at the time, he would have become world champion.
The first hearings took place in London in October. The defendants argued that the lawsuit was filed too late and asked the High Court to dismiss the case. However, on Thursday, the judge declared in a written verdict that the case can proceed. Massa would have a ‘real chance of success’ with claims regarding breach of conduct and conspiracy. His assertion that the FIA had violated its duty of investigation towards him was, however, dismissed. The 2008 season cannot be rewritten: “The current claim cannot, of course, change the outcome of the world championship,” said the judge.
‘Justice Will Prevail’
On social media, Massa spoke of an initial victory. “This is a tremendous win,” wrote the Brazilian. “This is a significant day for me, for justice, and for everyone who loves Formula 1. The court has recognized the strength of my case and refuses to conceal the truth about 2008. They have done everything to stop this case, but we are fighting for justice, and today we have won. I am determined and more confident than ever that justice will prevail. For me, for Brazilians, for the tifosi, for all motorsport fans who deserve a fair sport, and for the future of Formula 1.”
The FIA also referred to ‘success’ in court in an official statement. “After a three-day hearing, the court has dismissed the claims that Felipe Massa had filed against the FIA,” said the organization. “He had difficulty proving that the alleged conspiracy was the cause of his losses in 2008. The court allows the conspiracy claims to be examined through a full process, albeit on considerably more limited grounds and subject to reformulation.”
