Felipe Massa counters Toto Wolff’s ‘no case’ claims on crashgate lawsuit, affirms he is ‘on the right path’
Massa and his team have opted a fresh strategy of claiming the overturn of results.
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Felipe Massa (Left) and Toto Wolff with Lewis Hamilton (Right) (Credits: IMAGO)
Former Brazilian F1 driver, Felipe Massa is seeking compensation for the 2008 F1 championship he believes he won. In the final race, Massa won, but Lewis Hamilton‘s fifth-place finish secured the title by a single point. He alleges that his championship loss was due to another driver’s deliberate crash, benefiting Hamilton. Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff while chastising the legal drama, claimed that Mercedes is watching it with a keen eye.
Amidst these legal proceedings, Massa finds himself in a unique position, echoing the sentiments of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where rules were overturned in a dramatic last-lap maneuver. In the Abu Dhabi GP, Max Verstappen‘s fresh soft tires allowed him to snatch victory from Lewis Hamilton, despite Mercedes’ protestations.
Toto Wolff claimed he has kept a close eye on Felipe Massa’s case, stating that Mercedes is watching it ‘with interest’ because it “will certainly set a precedent.” However, Wolff expressed doubt, saying, “I don’t think Massa ‘has a case, to be honest’… Reopening each controversial situation from the past could put Formula 1 into ‘disarray’.”
Responding to these comments, Massa views it as affirmation that his pursuit is legitimate and worthy. As quoted by Silver Arrows.net, Massa said, “I think this just shows that we are on the right path and that people in F1 are realising the seriousness and importance of our case.” Massa remains resolute, and firm in his belief that justice must be served for the sport’s integrity.
Discover: Toto Wolff deems Felipe Massa’s Crashgate lawsuit nothing short of a ‘soap opera’
Felipe Massa claims he is fighting for his ‘childhood dream’
Felipe Massa is seeking compensation, citing lost earnings and bonuses worth tens of millions of euros, motivated by a desire for “justice for the sport” rather than money. Massa accuses F1 and the FIA of overlooking misconduct during the Singapore GP and the ‘crashgate’ scandal, implying manipulation led to his defeat. He insists he is the rightful 2008 champion and has escalated his legal battle by formally presenting his case to the FIA and F1.
The Brazilian’s quest for justice resonates deeply with his personal and national aspirations. He passionately declared, “I’m seeking justice, my childhood dream, a title for an entire nation, for Brazilians. And for the tifosi too.” Massa underscores the emotional significance of his mission, not only for himself but for his fellow Brazilians and even the Tifosi.
In the face of this arduous legal battle, Massa’s strong will shines through as he emphasizes that this is a battle uniquely belonging to him and his family. He affirmed, “This is entirely my and my family’s fight, so we did everything we could to have the best professionals in the world on our side.”
Massa’s commitment to assembling a top-notch legal team illustrates the gravity of his pursuit, underlining his unwavering belief in the righteousness of his cause. Furthermore, he hopes that the current iterations of the FIA and FOM differ from their counterparts in 2008. Any changes in the 2008 title will surely reopen the debate about Hamilton’s 2021 title chance as well.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)