Felipe Massa reveals ‘expensive wait for justice’ challenging 2008 Lewis Hamilton F1 title

Felipe Massa has revealed that his legal challenge against Formula 1, the FIA, and former series rights holder Bernie Ecclestone over his lost 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton is ongoing.

Massa launched legal proceedings with the Brazilian law firm Vieira Rezende Advogas in March this year, seeking retribution for his lost 2008 crown.

A lawsuit was filed in London’s High Court, seeking damages as “the FIA breached its regulations by failing to promptly investigate Nelson Piquet Junior’s crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, and that had it acted properly, Mr Massa would have won the drivers’ championship that year.”

The move came after comments Ecclestone made last year, where he revealed a cover-up of the ‘Crashgate’ saga was held between himself, then-Race Director Charlie Whiting and then-FIA president Max Mosley during the 2008 season.

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Piquet Jr’s deliberate crash was a result of instructions from the Renault pit wall to pave the way for a Fernando Alonso victory.

Massa led the 2008 Singapore GP until the crash, but the events that followed led to a calamitous Ferrari pit-stop, resigning Massa to 15th by the time the chequered flag fell.

Fast-forward to the 2008 season finale at Sao Paulo, Massa lost the ’08 title to Hamilton by a single point.

‘Crashgate’ didn’t come to light until after Reanult sacked Piquet Jr. midway through the 2009 season.

Felipe Massa seeking ‘justice’ for lost title to Lewis Hamilton

“I hope the correct thing happens, for justice, for something that was not part of the sport that punished me big time,” Massa told RacingNews365, who report the Brazilian’s court case has been going on for nearly five months.

“This is what we are fighting for, which I believe is correct, especially after 16 years and on hearing things which you never thought it was really like that.

“After that, I decided to put a big team together, professional people, divided by many different countries.

“They really believe it was not fair what happened, for the sport, and I definitely paid.

“When we heard Bernie’s comment last year, after that we started to put things together, and we started to fight, to analyse things In the professional, legal way because it was not part of the sport.

“I never thought I was going to be part of such a thing in my life.

“It’s not easy. It’s also very expensive, a lot of money, so I really hope things finish soon.

“But we’ve been waiting so long now for justice, we have to hope the truth comes out and there will be justice.”

READ MORE: Massa issues lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore ‘Crashgate’ scandal