Felipe Massa has launched a legal battle over the outcome of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, which he lost by just one point to Lewis Hamilton. The controversy centers around the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Nelson Piquet Jr., driving for Renault, intentionally crashed to benefit his teammate, Fernando Alonso. This incident led to a safety car, disrupting the race and severely impacting Massa’s chances as he suffered a botched pit stop. This moment is widely seen as pivotal in Massa’s narrow title loss.
Massa initiated legal action after Bernie Ecclestone, former F1 chief, revealed in 2023 that he and other FIA officials knew about the intentional crash before the season ended but chose not to act to preserve the sport’s image. Massa’s lawsuit seeks acknowledgment from F1 and the FIA that regulations were breached by not investigating the incident properly and is asking for around $80 million in damages. The former Ferrari driver believes that had the crash been scrutinized at the time, the race results and ultimately the championship outcome would have been different, potentially crowning him the 2008 champion.
Despite the long delay—16 years since the incident—Massa remains hopeful that justice will prevail. He describes the legal battle as financially draining but feels it’s necessary to address what he views as a significant injustice in the sport. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who won his first of seven championships that year, has chosen not to engage deeply with the case, stating it’s Massa’s decision to pursue this path.