Felipe Massa's £64M Lawsuit: 2008 Title Fight

Seventeen Years Later: Felipe Massa's Battle for Justice in the 2008 Championship Saga

The echoes of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship finale still reverberate through Interlagos, but this time, they’re echoing in a courtroom. Felipe Massa, the Brazilian driver who lost the title to Lewis Hamilton in the final lap of the final race, is embroiled in a high-stakes lawsuit demanding £64 million in damages and an apology from F1’s most powerful figures. As legal teams clash in London’s Royal Courts of Justice, Massa’s fight transcends mere compensation—it’s a quest for sporting justice.

The Crashgate Scandal That Changed Everything

The controversy stems from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car, securing a strategic advantage for teammate Fernando Alonso. Though F1 investigated the incident in 2009, Massa’s legal team argues that Bernie Ecclestone (then F1 CEO) and Max Mosley (then FIA President) knew about the conspiracy *during* the 2008 season but remained silent. This alleged cover-up, Massa claims, deprived him of the championship he was poised to win.

A Lawsuit of Historic Stakes

Massa’s lawsuit, filed against Ecclestone, F1, and the FIA, hinges on two core demands:

• £64 million in lost earnings as the "rightful" 2008 champion
• A formal apology from the FIA for failing to investigate the scandal promptly

Notably, Massa explicitly states he is not seeking to strip Hamilton of his title. However, the defendants argue the case is "statute-barred," claiming Massa delayed legal action for too long. Ecclestone’s lawyers even suggested Massa should have acted earlier, given his close ties to the F1 community.

"I don’t have a view on it. I’m not in touch with it at all... It’s nothing really to do with me."
— Lewis Hamilton, addressing the lawsuit at the 2025 Brazilian GP

Hamilton's Detached Stance

Hamilton, whose first title was forged in that 2008 drama, has largely distanced himself from the legal battle. Speaking at Interlagos, the seven-time world champion emphasized his focus on racing: "Whatever reasons Felipe has, I’m sure he’s got the conviction within him, and that’s what he needs to do." Hamilton’s neutrality underscores that this fight is Massa’s alone—one against the sport’s institutions, not his on-track rival.

Massa's Paddock Return and Unwavering Resolve

Amid the legal turmoil, Massa made a poignant return to the F1 paddock at his home Brazilian Grand Prix. "I’ve been in London for three days to fight against injustice," he told DAZN. "This is the most important point. The lawyers did a good job of explaining the situation as accurately as possible." Despite the case’s uncertainty, Massa remains optimistic: "I always believe in justice. What’s right is right—and what’s not part of the sport isn’t right."

The Verdict Awaits

As of now, the High Court’s decision on whether the case proceeds to a full trial is pending. The outcome could set a precedent for how historical sporting injustices are addressed in the future. For Massa, this isn’t just about reclaiming lost earnings—it’s about ensuring accountability in a sport he dedicated his career to. Whether justice is served in court or not, his courage to challenge the establishment has already made its mark.