Felipe Massa’s damages case is set for the English High Court this week. The 44-year-old is seeking £64million in damages from F1 and Bernie Ecclestone after alleging that the fallout of the 2008 ‘crashgate’ scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix cost him the 2008 World Championship.
The crash in Singapore was caused by Renault F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr, who hit the circuit wall at turn 17, triggering a safety car deployment. However, in the aftermath, it became a Renault controversy when it was established that Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to give his teammate, Fernando Alonso, a sporting advantage. Massa, meanwhile, finished the Grand Prix in 13th, while Hamilton was classified in third.
Massa went on to lose the World Championship to Hamilton on the final lap of the season finale in Brazil, as the former McLaren driver overtook Timo Glock to secure his maiden F1 crown.
Renault F1 was charged with conspiracy by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in September 2009 and disqualified from F1. Alonso always maintained he knew nothing of the plan.
In March 2024, Massa launched legal action against F1 Management, former chief Bernie Ecclestone, and the FIA, arguing that a timely investigation into the 2008 crash would have led to the cancellation or adjustment of the Singapore Grand Prix result, and ultimately, secured him the Drivers’ Championship. The 2008 title went to Hamilton, his first championship.
This came following comments made during an interview with Ecclestone conducted by German publication F1-Insider, in which he suggested that he and Max Mosley were aware of the Singapore controversy at the time.
The former driver accused F1 and Ecclestone, along with the then-FIA President, Mosley (now deceased), of conspiring to prevent the FIA from promptly investigating and to conceal their knowledge of the deliberate crash.
Massa, who is claiming £64m in damages, has top sports silk Nick De Marco on, instructed by partner Christopher Boyne of Debevoise and Plimpton. Ecclestone has dismissed Massa’s legal action, stating, “There is no way in the world anyone could change or cancel that race.”
The sport’s magnate is represented by lawyers from Herbert Smith Freehills, while F1 has K&L Gates, and the FIA has Horwich Farelly.
The trial is set for later this week, as the defendants have filed a strike-out application, arguing that this case has no reasonable prospects of success. Mr Justice Jay will review the case on Tuesday, ahead of a three-day trial beginning on Wednesday at the Royal Courts of Justice in Court 73.
