Felipe Massa insists 2008 F1 championship fiasco is ‘very different’ from Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 title drama

Felipe Massa clarified that his legal case would not serve as precedent for other championship results.

Felipe Massa insists 2008 F1 championship fiasco is ‘very different’ from Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 title drama

Felipe Massa [L] Lewis Hamilton [R] (images via IMAGO)

Felipe Massa has faced severe backlash ever since he challenged the 2008 F1 championship results. Many in the F1 paddock have accused the Brazilian driver of taking up this fight for money. Fans have speculated that this could allow teams to challenge the results of previous years including the controversial Abu Dhabi season finale in 2021. Now, Massa has addressed such speculation.

The former Ferrari driver mentioned that many believe that Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton might be able to use Massa’s case as a precedent for the 2021 title. The Brazilian even recognized the grey area surrounding Michael Schumacher‘s 1994 championship.

However, Felipe Massa reckoned that such championships were influenced by a variety of elements such as a mistake by the stewards, or a major incident. The former F1 driver made it clear that the 2008 championship was completely different due to the Crashgate scandal. The 42-year-old claimed that this result was hampered by sabotage and manipulation.

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The only difference between all these championships and what happened was maybe a mistake [from officials], maybe crashes or maybe a result that was not corrected by the FIA on the sporting side because of a technical issue or whatever, these cases were related to that.

Felipe Massa told Racingnews365

Felipe Massa pointed out that FIA only took action on the scandal after Nelson Piquet Jr. confessed in 2009. With the rules then stating that no changes could be made to a previous year’s championship. This happened despite F1’s Bernie Ecclestone and FIA Max Mosley allegedly being aware of the scandal in 2008 itself.

My case is related to manipulation, related to sabotage and it is a completely different situation.

Felipe Massa to miss the Brazilian GP

The Brazilian driver served as an F1 ambassador before starting his legal battle with F1. Subsequently, Formula One Management told the 42-year-old to not attend the Italian GP. Moreover, the sport decided not to be in contact with Felipe Massa since then with no information about his position. As such, Massa decided to miss his home race at Interlagos.

Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa (image via IMAGO)

The former Ferrari driver has put his best efforts into trying to challenge the 2008 championship. Massa has insisted time and time again that this pursuit is not for money. Instead, the Brazilian driver is looking to get justice 15 years after he lost the title to Lewis Hamilton by just a single point in front of his home fans.

Certainly, Felipe Massa has remained adamant on his position regarding the 2008 F1 title. The Brazilian driver is expected to put full force into this case despite criticism from fans and pundits. However, the entire paddock will be looking to seeing how this lawsuit pans out for the 42-year-old.

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