Felipe Massa is to receive a financial payout from former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, as well as FOM and the FIA, according to reports.
The Brazilian opened legal proceedings against the three parties, in relation to the result of the 2008 World Championship, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton by one point.
Hamilton famously overtook a slowing Timo Glock on the final corner of the final lap it Interlagos, giving them the points he needed to leapfrog Massa, who had already crossed the line to win the race.
Massa case cites the Singapore Grand Prix from that year, in which Fernando Alonso won after Renault contrived to have the Safety Car called via a deliberate crash from the Spaniard’s teammate, Nelson Piquet Jr.
Massa had been leading the race when he pitted, but his stop saw him exit the pit box with the fuel hose still attached, causing him to drop down the order and out of the points, contributing to the championship’s final result.
An interview in F1 Insider reputed to be given by Ecclestone, saw the revelation that both Ecclestone and then-FIA president Max Mosley had been informed of the finer details of the incident – subsequently known as ‘Crashgate’ – but the 95-year-old denies all knowledge of giving the interview.
In November, it was decided that the case, in which Massa is seeking $82 million, would continue to trial, following a three-day hearing.
And now Sky Sports has reported that Ecclestone, Formula 1 Management [FOM] and the FIA have been ordered to award Massa £250,000 in legal costs.
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