Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has admitted the side is keeping an eye on Felipe Massa’s legal attempts to overturn the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship.
Current Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton beat Massa to the ’08 title by a single point whilst driving for McLaren, but the controversy stems from that year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso won the inaugural Singapore night race for Renault, benefitting from the ‘Crashgate’ conspiracy where team officials instructed Alonso’s teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash on purpose to bring out the Safety Car at an opportune moment for the Spaniard.
Despite allegedly having knowledge of the conspiracy prior to the ’08 season finale, the likes of Bernie Ecclestone and former FIA president Max Mosely didn’t disclose any knowledge of the incident until Piquet Jr. went public in 2009.
Massa has taken issue with this apparent brushing under the carpet and began legal proceedings when he learnt of Ecclestone’s apparent conspiring earlier this year.
When asked to give his thoughts on the matter in Friday’s Singapore Press Conference, Wolff said that the matter is ” interesting to follow.”
“Clearly not something that anybody saw coming,” he continued. The rules are pretty clear in Formula 1.
“Is there a civil case behind it? It will certainly set a precedent, whatever it is.
“Yeah, we’re looking from the sidelines with curiosity.”
Wolff’s curiosity was questioned from the floor in the press conference, relating to the infamous 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“The FIA commented on the 2021 race with a clear statement,” he added. “So that’s why we’re looking at it with interest.”
Massa’s legal team called for Hamilton’s help in the Brazillian’s case earlier this week and the seven-time F1 champion was asked to give his thoughts on the matter in Singapore.
“If that’s the direction that Felipe wants to go, that’s his decision,” Hamilton responded.
“I prefer not to focus on the past. Whether it’s 15 years ago, two years ago, or three days ago. I’m only interested in the present and my focus is on helping my team this week.”
In the present, Hamilton was in a buoyant mood after Friday’s two practice sessions at the Marina Bay Circuit, declaring it to be his “best FP2 session” of 2023.
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