The Former Ferrari driver had, with the help of his legal team, laid claim on the 2008 World Championship following an admission, by former (prominent) FIA members about the ‘Crashgate’ controversy. Felipe Massa has been locked in a legal battle against the FIA and FOM ever since. Massa’s legal team had previously threatened the FIA over getting the UK High Court involved if the FIA and FOM failed to respond to their Letter Before Claim before the deadline. Massa’s lawyers had put the 8th of September as the deadline for an official reply from the FIA and FOM.

Bernardo Viana, Felipe Massa’s lawyer has now revealed that this deadline has been extended further. According to the lawyer, The FIA and FOM were the ones requesting an extension as they demanded more time for their (internal) investigation. Viana, spoke to ‘The Athletic‘ as he revealed the new deadline, saying, “FIA and FOM (Formula One Management) are completing an internal investigation and have requested one last extension to the deadline they initially asked for, from Oct. 12th to Nov. 15th.”

Viana further shared a few words of ‘good faith’ in the new administration. He went on to add, “We have agreed to this final period because if the new administration is indeed looking into the matter in good faith, they will certainly reach the same conclusion we and so many people around the world have.”

Massa’s row with the FIA began after an interview given by the Former CEO of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone. The Man, who was in charge of Formula 1 for over 40 years, revealed shocking things regarding the Crashgate scandal. Read more about it below.

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The infamous Bernie Ecclestone interview that kicked off Felipe Massa’s title lawsuit

The Crashgate Scandal stands tall as one of the darkest chapters in F1 history. The infamous scandal took place at the 2008 Singapore GP. But it was all swept under the rug up until former F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone admitted in front of the media that he was aware of the conspiracy planned by Renault to deliberately cause a crash for Nelson Piquet Jr’s car so that the safety car helped Fernando Alonso get the race win.

Felipe Massa was leading the race comfortably before the safety car period. The Brazilian had to pit early under the safety car and thus came into the pits to refuel (refueling during pit stops was mandatory in 2008) and change his tires. Ferrari and Massa botched the pitstop, resulting in a zero-point finish for the driver. Alonso benefitted the most, as planned by Renault, and won the shocking race. Lewis Hamilton finished 3rd. This result had catastrophic effects for Massa on his title fight as Lewis Hamilton, eventually beat him by a single point.

Massa’s lawsuit against the Formula One Management for the reversal of the 2008 Championship results relies on the basis that many of the F1 officials working then had an idea that Massa’s World Championship win was illegally sabotaged but noone said a word in protest. Massa has requested the current administration to overthrow the fabled Grand Prix’s results, which would put him on higher points than Hamilton, handing him the 2008 Title.

In case you missed it:

• Toto Wolff’s proxy admits Mercedes could have gotten a double podium had they not messed up at the Qatar GP
• “Rosberg vs. Hamilton 2.0”– Fans foresee a brewing toxic rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell post-Qatar GP crash

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