Ex-pilot fights for world title
Alleged F1 conspiracy does not let go of Massa
9/2/2023 1:32 p.m
In 2008, the “Crashgate” shook Formula 1. The then Ferrari driver Felipe Massa was also a victim. The accident had been ordered by the highest authority. 15 years later, Massa still sees himself cheated of the World Cup – and wants to contest the outcome.
15 years after the “Crashgate” scandal in Singapore, ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa wants to fight with all vehemence to make amends for his World Cup defeat. In a dispute with the premier class of motorsport and the world association FIA, the Brazilian is seeking legal clarification in order to be subsequently recognized as world champion and to receive compensation for allegedly lost income.
“I have one certainty: this title is mine and it’s Ferrari’s 16th drivers’ title,” Massa, now 42, said in an interview with Rai TV’s TG1 news program ahead of the Monza Grand Prix. He hired a “very strong legal team”. “We will fight for justice in this sport to the end. I don’t understand why a case of manipulation can’t be checked in the right way, even if it happens a year, two years or 15 years later.”
Briatore ordered the accident
Massa is concerned with the events surrounding the Singapore race in 2008. On the narrow street circuit, the Brazilian Nelson Piquet junior intentionally crashed into the guard rails with his Renault. The accident and the subsequent safety car phase enabled his then teammate Fernando Alonso to win. As it turned out later, Flavio Briatore, then Renault team boss, and technical director Pat Symonds had ordered the crash in the fourth to last race of the season. Both were banned – and later pardoned.
Massa led the night race for a long time. After the Piquet crash, Ferrari undertook a bad pit stop, including a torn-off fuel nozzle, which meant that Massa finally finished 13th without a point. In the final in Brazil he was just one point behind world champion Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren.
The trigger for Massa’s actions was in particular an interview with former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, according to which the controversial incident involving Piquet junior was allegedly known in Formula 1 and FIA circles before the end of the 2008 season. However, we decided against taking steps. “I’m optimistic: I’ll fight for justice to the end,” said Massa, who is demanding a detailed statement from the world association and the Formula 1 rights holder by the end of next week.