Felipe Massa says he wants to share the 2008 title with Lewis Hamilton, insists ‘it’s the right thing to do’
Felipe Massa wants justice carried out for his 2008 championship and share the title with Hamilton.
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Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa (Via IMAGO)
Felipe Massa was runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 F1 World Championship. But he has started proceedings to change the result of that year’s Singapore GP in a bid to overturn the result. Fernando Alonso won the race after a deliberate crash by his teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. This resulted in a suspension for the Renault team, and the controversy was dubbed ‘Crashgate.’
The race was particularly significant to Massa, as he lost important ground to Hamilton. If the race results are declared to be invalid, Massa would have more points than Hamilton at the end of the year, making him the 2008 World Champion. Massa considers the best decision from the FIA would be to let Hamilton and Massa share the championship, as has been done in other sports.
If justice is done and we think that this is really the right thing to do [sharing the title with Hamilton], especially because [sharing of championships] happened in other sports, it is something to be analysed.
Felipe Massa as reported by motorsport.com
Massa also gave a controversial take on the 2021 Championship result. He doesn’t see the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP in a similar light, as he considers the controversial decision by race director Michael Masi to be an error rather than a manipulation of the sport. While Piquet Jr’s crash was completely deliberate, Masi’s decision was a lapse in judgment. Massa hasn’t contacted Hamilton about the case and acknowledged that many significant names in F1 would find it difficult to comment on such a controversial topic.
Felipe Massa approached FIA president Ben Sulayem about the matter but never got a response. Sulayem told Reuters that he had replied to him, telling Massa to do what “he thought was right,” while the FIA would do what was required to “protect themselves.” Massa denied this, saying he had never talked about the affair with Sulayem.
Felipe Massa provides new information on the 2008 championship legal battle
Felipe Massa’s legal team has revealed that a request from the FIA and FOM to delay proceedings was approved. The FIA and FOM are conducting an internal investigation and requested an extension of the deadline from October 12th to November 15th.
Bernando Viana said that the extension was justified, believing that if the new Formula 1 administration investigates the matter, they will reach the same conclusion as Massa’s team. Massa, who has been absent from the F1 paddock due to his legal challenge, expressed that he feels he has support but acknowledged the situation’s complexity.
When you hear Toto Wolff talking about 2021, Ferrari would need to do the same. So, Ferrari needs to fight for the best of the team and I don’t really see Ferrari far from manipulation, as happened to me.
Massa said, as reported by planetf1.com
He also emphasized that he is fighting for justice and mentioned his hope for support from Ferrari, as he believes they were affected by the alleged manipulation that cost him the championship. He believes that as he was driving for Ferrari at the time, a driver’s championship loss for him should be a loss for Ferrari as well. Massa is determined to pursue justice for his country, fans, family, and the Ferrari team.
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Justin P Joy
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