On March 11th Felipe Massa ’s legal team made a public statement regarding filling a lawsuit against F1 and FIA for the injustice regarding the 2008 World Championship. In 2008 Lewis Hamilton won his first-ever world championship and beating Massa by just one point. One of the major reasons for the loss was the infamous crash gate incident according to the Brazilian.
According to the legal team of Massa, their first priority was not to get back the financial damages that, Massa suffered due to the unfair championship loss. Felipe Massa lost a lucrative salary hike due to not winning the title that year and also missed opportunities of sponsorships and brand deals. Massa’s legal entourage estimates $76.4 million loss and is seeking the same amount from F1 and FIA with the Lawsuit according to Motorsporst.com.
Initially, it wasn’t even mentioned in the lawsuit that has been filed in the British court. But now according to the legal team both the authorities failed to take the right action at the time and now need to pay the damages. The origin of legal drama was a slip up from ex-F1 ECO Bernie Ecclestone, who admitted that the F1 body didn’t take any action on the crashgate despite knowing the facts early.
Crashgate is one of the shadiest episodes of f1 history. To help Fernando Alonso win the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Renault made up a set. Nelson Piquet Jr. was asked by the team to intentionally crash during the race, and he complied. As a result, the safety car was brought out, and Massa dropped to 13th place in the Grand Prix, an eventually lost valuable championship points.
Bernie Ecclestone believes Filipe Massa is doing the right thing
Last year Bernie Ecclestone finally opened up and made clear that the f1 and FIA were aware of the deliberate crash. After that Felipe Massa filed an official lawsuit. Now, responding to the suit, that has also named him, Ecclestone admitted that the Brazilian is doing the right thing.
If he had asked me, I would have said it was the complete right thing to do, to sue, and to let an English judge decide what is right and wrong. I cannot say anything about the outcome and what will happen. I have not got a clue - I don't think anyone has - but from his point of view, it is better that an English judge comes up with a verdict. It will be of more help for him. Bernie Ecclestone said via mirror.co.uk.
The lawsuit filed by Massa is a divisive topic in the F1 community. F1 and FIA has to handle it with care as a court verdict in support of Massa could open up a can of warms. Many teams and drivers who felt they were wronged over the years would file lawsuits, using the Massa verdict to their advantage.
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