“No Way in the World,” Bernie Ecclestone Hits out at Felipe Massa over Crashgate Scandal Lawsuit

Bernie Ecclestone is not mincing his words while berating Felipe Massa and his legal lawsuit because of the Crashgate scandal.

“No Way in the World,” Bernie Ecclestone Hits out at Felipe Massa over Crashgate Scandal Lawsuit

Felipe Massa and Bernie Ecclestone (via Getty)

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Felipe Massa lost out on the 2008 driver’s title against Lewis Hamilton in a highly controversial manner. The 2008 Singapore GP Crashgate scandal was the reason that Massa lost out on the title. Although Hamilton won the title fair and square, the Brazilian tasted defeat because of situations out of his control. As such, the 44-year-old had pursued a legal lawsuit against the FIA, the FOM, and the then F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. Now, the ex-F1 Supremo has opened up on the lawsuit and predicted its outcome.

In the lawsuit that Felipe Massa lodged, he sought over $82 million in compensation because of the championship and sponsor loss after the 2008 championship loss. Among other things, Massa also wanted the authorities to accept their blunders and negligence regarding the contingencies of the 2008 Singapore GP. Even the Renault driver, Nelson Piquet Jr., had accepted that he was ordered by the team to crash on purpose and cause the Brazilian to lose the race. As such, the FIA and the FOM should have acted on that information and overturned the results of the race back then.

Although the sport seems to be in the wrong, ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone pays no heed to Felipe Massa and his legal lawsuit against him. Ecclestone was not mincing his words while denying all chances of Massa’s success in the battle. The 94-year-old bluntly declared that there was no way that anyone could change the results of the 2008 Singaporean GP. He further added that there were no provisions for a driver or team to persuade the president of FIA to call a special meeting and demand an overturn of past race results or even cancel the results altogether.

There is no way in the world anyone could change or cancel that race. To try to persuade the president of the FIA to call a special meeting where the FIA would have to cancel the race – there were no provisions for that to happen.

Bernie Ecclestone told The Times

Bernie Ecclestone ‘doesn’t understand’ Felipe Massa’s legal case

Bernie Ecclestone was made aware of the events of the Crashgate scandal and how Renault purposely crashed Nelson Piquet Jr.’s car. However, back then, Ecclestone commented that no strict decisions were taken to protect the sport and save it from yet another massive scandal. As such, this sparked Felipe Massa’s legal pursuit against F1 and the authorities. However, now, the 94-year-old claims that he does not understand the terms of Massa’s legal lawsuit.

Felipe Massa (via Getty Images)

Bernie Ecclestone asserted that he did not even remember the interview or what he said back then that started the whole mess. The 94-year-old added that the lawyers from F1’s side, the sport, and the governing authorities of the FIA did not understand how the case could be heard in a court and a decision could be arrived at. Regardless, a hearing is set for late October this year, as all parties involved hope for a quick resolution.

I didn’t even remember the bloody interview until the legal challenge by Massa. The lawyers for myself, the FIA and F1 do not understand how it can be heard in a court.

Bernie Ecclestone noted

For the time being, the sport and the authorities will hope to continue working as intended and focus on the ongoing 2025 season of Formula 1. Felipe Massa isn’t going to back down without a fight and hopes to achieve his goals in the legal battle. However, time will tell about how the situation plays out for the Brazilian as he continues to retain his hopes of winning the battle.

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