Felipe Massa's Stance on Lewis Hamilton Amid £64m Court Delay
Felipe Massa, the former Ferrari Formula One driver, has clarified his position regarding Lewis Hamilton as his legal pursuit over the controversial 2008 championship continues. Massa seeks £64 million in compensation from Formula 1, the FIA, and Bernie Ecclestone, asserting that the infamous Crashgate scandal compromised the fairness of that season.
The 2008 Crashgate Context
The dispute arises from the Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. intentionally crashed to help his teammate Fernando Alonso. Massa had started that race from pole position but dropped to 13th, while Hamilton finished third. The incident proved decisive, contributing to Hamilton’s narrow victory in the championship—secured on the very last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Massa’s Clarification on Hamilton
“To be honest, this is not a fight with Lewis. Lewis has nothing to do with this fight. The fight is about what happened in the race, which was not good for the sport.”
Massa emphasized that his lawsuit is not directed against Hamilton personally, but aims to address what he considers a failure of governance that cost him the title.
Current Legal Proceedings
Now 44 years old, Massa continues to press his case, arguing that a timely investigation into the Singapore incident back in 2008 could have altered the championship outcome and reshaped Formula 1 history.
Author’s summary: Massa reiterates his respect for Hamilton, focusing his legal challenge solely on the integrity issues surrounding the 2008 Crashgate scandal.