How Felipe Massa’s $80M ‘Crashgate’ Lawsuit Against F1 Affects Lewis Hamilton

He claims the now-infamous 2008 'Crashgate' scandal robbed him of his world title.

Why Felipe Massa Is Suing F1 and the FIA?

The case centers on the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault's Nelson Piquet deliberately crashed to benefit his teammate Fernando Alonso. That crash changed the race’s outcome and, according to Massa, changed the entire championship result.

He argues that F1 and the FIA knew about the manipulation early on but chose not to act. In a later interview, Ecclestone hinted that officials were aware of the incident during the season. Massa’s legal team says this proves a cover-up that directly cost him the title.

Meanwhile, the FIA and F1 maintain that Massa’s claim comes far too late. They also point out that Ferrari made several errors during the 2008 season, which contributed to his championship loss.

Notably, the team fumbled during the pit stop during the VSC, which dropped him down the race and out of the points.

Could This Affect Lewis Hamilton?

Although Lewis Hamilton is not directly involved in the case, his 2008 title could be affected if the court sides with Massa.

If a judgment acknowledges that the Singapore Grand Prix result should have been nullified, it might cast a shadow over Hamilton’s first championship. Regardless, it will not reverse his 2008 title win.

Notably, Hamilton has not commented publicly on the matter. Still, the lawsuit keeps the debate alive over how fair that season truly was.

The Bigger Picture for Formula 1

Felipe Massa’s $80 million lawsuit is more than just a personal fight. It is a test of Formula 1’s integrity and transparency.

If Massa wins, the ruling could force F1 and the FIA to revisit how past race results are handled when new evidence surfaces. It could also inspire future lawsuits if drivers believe they were wronged by delayed investigations.

While Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title will not be stripped, the controversy adds another layer to F1’s complex history. As Massa pushes forward, his legal challenge reminds fans that some battles in racing are not decided on the track but in the courtroom.