Toto Wolff interested in Felipe Massa’s 2008 title lawsuit, says that it might ‘set the precedent’ for the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Wolff admitted that it was surprising to have Massa take such a step for the 2008 title.

Toto Wolff interested in Felipe Massa’s 2008 title lawsuit, says that it might ‘set the precedent’ for the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Felipe Massa & Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (image via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton‘s maiden Formula 1 title might soon be at risk. The 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa has filed a lawsuit against F1 to overturn the championship result after former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone admitted having knowledge about the Crashgate scandal. Now, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has spoken up on this legal battle.

Wolff admitted that it was surprising to have Massa take such a step for the 2008 title. However, the 51-year-old admitted that Mercedes was curious to see how this case would pan out due to the lack of rules regarding such a situation. The Austrian believed that this lawsuit would set a precedent in F1. Toto Wolff said, as reported by The Athletic, “The rules are pretty clear in Formula 1. There’s a civil case behind it. It will certainly set a precedent, whatever it is. We’re looking from the sidelines with curiosity.”

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The Mercedes team principal hinted that the set precedent could be used by the Silver Arrows for the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Lewis Hamilton lost the 2021 title to Max Verstappen after a controversial decision by Michael Masi. However, the FIA had ruled out any change to the result for that race.

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Now, Toto Wolff has claimed that the decision regarding Massa’s lawsuit might allow the German team to challenge the 2021 season finale in the future. The 51-year-old stated, “The FIA commented on the 2021 race with a clear statement. That’s why we’re looking at it with interest.”

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on Felipe Massa’s lawsuit over 2008 F1 title, says he is ‘not focused on the past’

Felipe Massa’s lawsuit to have a big impact on F1

Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton in 2008 (image via The Independent)

The Crashgate scandal at the 2008 Singapore GP saw Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr. crashing deliberately to allow teammate Fernando Alonso to have a favorable race strategy. However, Felipe Massa’s prospects in the race were ruined when he left the pits with an attached fuel hose after the safety car was called out. As such, the Ferrari driver lost out on some crucial points that would have made him the world champion.

Massa lost the 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton by just a single point. The Brazilian believes that the Singapore GP should be excluded from the championship results. Subsequently, the former Ferrari driver would be crowned as the 2008 world champion. However, this case will have major ramifications in Formula 1 irrespective of the decision.

A precedent in this case will allow for teams to understand whether race results can be challenged in the future as said by Toto Wolff. Certainly, this could change the sport massively.

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