Former F1 racer predicts Felipe Massa’s legal drama with the FIA might give birth to a ‘court facing of Lewis Hamilton against Max Verstappen’

Timo Glock, the man who played a crucial role in Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title win, has claimed that Felipe Massa’s current legal case would lead to another court case regarding the 2021 season.

Former F1 racer predicts Felipe Massa’s legal drama with the FIA might give birth to a ‘court facing of Lewis Hamilton against Max Verstappen’

Timo Glock and Felipe Massa (via imago)

Timo Glock, the man famous for slowing on the last lap of the fated 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, has commented on Felipe Massa’s ongoing legal drama for the 2008 World Title. Glock was a major reason for Hamilton’s triumph in 2008 as the German driver’s Toyota incurred a mechanical issue of the very last lap of the 2008 season. Hamilton overtook Glock to gain one more point in the Title race against Felipe Massa. This singular point would ensure that Hamilton’s tally was higher than Massa’s. Lewis Hamilton emerged as the 2008 World Champion at the end of the race.

Glock has claimed that Massa’s bid for the 2008 Title could lead to another such bid from Hamilton and Mercedes for the controversial 2021 Title. Glock, during his conversation with PlanetF1, first expressed his surprise at Massa’s legal bid and later spoke about how it would affect the entire sport. 

I was surprised when I saw it because, you know, after such a long time to go in front of court… I don’t know if it will work out for him. I mean, he knows what he’s doing. He knows the facts, I don’t know the facts, actually, what are the details of it.

Glock further mentioned how if Massa emerges victorious out of his bid, it would set a precedent for the 2021 World Title. Massa is currently awaiting a response from the FOM and the FIA. The Brazilian driver’s bid relies on a Bernie Ecclestone interview where the former CEO of F1 revealed the truth behind the infamous ‘Crashgate’ controversy. Read more about it below.

The Bernie Ecclestone Interview which led to Felipe Massa’s courtroom fight for title

The Crashgate Scandal, centered on the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, lingers as a dark episode in Formula 1’s history. It involved a controversial plot by Renault to orchestrate a crash involving Nelson Piquet Jr., which would benefit his teammate Fernando Alonso. This scheme negatively impacted Felipe Massa, who was leading the race, and ended up costing him the 2008 World Championship to Lewis Hamilton by just one point.

Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone

The significance of Bernie Ecclestone’s recent interview comes to light as he, along with former FIA race director Charlie Whiting and then-FIA president Max Mosley, admitted to being aware of the scandal and Renault’s planned crash even before the season’s final race. Massa’s championship bid hinges on the fact that these key figures from FIA and FOM had knowledge of the scandal and did not take action against the wrongdoers. 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.

Earlier, Felipe Massa’s lawyer, Bernardo Viana, extended the Crashgate investigation deadline. Viana revealed that both the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) requested an extension for their internal inquiry, pushing the deadline from October 12 to November 15. With this deadline approaching, the FIA and FOM’s response to Massa’s plea is eagerly awaited as it could set a significant precedent in Formula 1’s history.