Ferrari legend Jean Todt endorses Felipe Massa’s legal battle over 2008 Championship, claims Singapore GP was ‘rigged and had to be cancelled’

Jean Todt was Felipe massa’s team principal while he was driving for Ferrari in 2008.

Ferrari legend Jean Todt endorses Felipe Massa’s legal battle over 2008 Championship, claims Singapore GP was ‘rigged and had to be cancelled’

Lewis Hamilton, Jean Todt and Felipe Massa (Via IMAGO)

Earlier this year, a legal battle ignited as former driver Felipe Massa challenged the 2008 World Championship outcome, where he narrowly lost to Lewis Hamilton. This legal pursuit centers on the controversial 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a race marred by deliberate actions that significantly influenced the championship dynamics.

Massa’s battle’s legal basis stems from the 2008 Singapore GP controversy, where deliberate actions by Fernando Alonso’s former Renault teammate, Nelson Piquet Jr. impacted the race and thereby the championship. In a “Letter Before Claim” to F1 and the FIA, Massa’s legal team seeks to overturn the result of the championship, alleging a conspiracy that cost Massa millions.

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For Jean Todt, the former Ferrari Team Principal and a key figure in Formula 1’s history, the resonance of this legal tussle goes beyond the courtroom. Todt acknowledges the profound psychological impact on Massa, stating as reported by La Stampa;

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I don't get into the controversy. For him, psychologically, it was very hard.

This candid acknowledgment reflects Todt’s understanding of the emotional toll exacted by the events surrounding the Singapore GP. Todt’s perspective crystallizes in a bold assertion:

There is no doubt that the Singapore Grand Prix was rigged and had to be cancelled.

This unambiguous statement leaves no room for ambiguity. Todt, drawing on his wealth of experience within the sport, unequivocally contends that the race should be expunged from the records, highlighting the gravity of the controversy.

Jean Todt suggests that the entire sport should have taken a firmer stance on the controversy

In hindsight, Todt reflects on the handling of the situation, admitting, “Maybe we could have been tougher when this story was known.” These words, laden with retrospection, suggest a recognition of missed opportunities to address the controversy head-on. It underscores the complexity of navigating the delicate balance between sporting integrity and the inherent challenges of the competitive world of Formula 1.

Michael Masi
Jean Todt and Michael Masi

The legal battle initiated by Massa is not merely a quest for financial restitution; it symbolizes a pursuit of justice and the rectification of what he perceives as a profound injustice within the sport. Todt’s nuanced stance aligns with the broader sentiment that the integrity of Formula 1, as a pinnacle of motorsport, should be safeguarded.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Todt’s words resonate beyond the confines of the courtroom. They echo the sentiments of an era marked by both triumphs and controversies. Formula 1, with its intricate web of competition and camaraderie, finds itself navigating the complex terrain where legal battles intersect with the spirit of fair play—a delicate dance that shapes the narrative of the sport.

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