Is Felipe Massa, rather than Lewis Hamilton, the true champion of the 2008 F1 Championship?

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      It's been over two years since former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa initiated a lawsuit against the sport's controversial figure, Bernie Ecclestone. Massa claims that Ecclestone was aware of the race result manipulation involving Renault's Flavio Briatore, Fernando Alonso, and Nelson Piquet Jr, and failed to act ethically according to the standards of the series. This case is currently being heard in a London court, where Ecclestone's lawyers argue that it is a "misguided attempt" to overturn an official result.

      The lawsuit, which involves several executives from F1's corporate body and the FIA, became public in 2023. However, the case is just now unfolding in court, revealing several unexpected developments. Notably, it’s not only Ecclestone’s legal team that is pushing to dismiss the case, but also the FIA and Formula One Management.

      Ilyas Tayfun Salci via Getty

      “Mr. Massa contends that had the FIA handled the crash differently, he would have secured the drivers' championship,” stated Ecclestone’s lawyer David Quest KC. “These assertions treat the court as a sports ‘debating club’, inviting it to engage in a speculative exercise regarding the ‘officiating’ of a sporting event that occurred nearly 17 years ago.”

      “[This] would unjustly strip Mr. Hamilton of his 2008 title, despite the fact that the Briton was equally impacted by the crash,” he further noted.

      The well-known Brazilian narrowly lost the F1 drivers’ championship to Lewis Hamilton, who clinched the title by just one point in 2008. Massa raises two key issues: First, that if not for the manipulated outcome at the Singapore Grand Prix, the points would have been different by the season's end, favoring him. Second, he argues that Ecclestone and various F1 and FIA executives were aware of the fixed race before the end of the 2008 season and chose not to rectify the situation, even though the rules permitted them to take action.

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      A representative for the FIA suggested that the Brazilian’s assertions are “torturous as they are overly ambitious” and “clearly ignore a series of his own mistakes.” The FIA’s defense asserts that Massa did not lose the title because of Renault's illegal actions but due to a number of subsequent racing mistakes made by him and his team during the remaining 47 laps of the race. They also claimed that the lawsuit “will fail” and that “Mr. Hamilton outperformed Mr. Massa and everyone else [in 2008].”

      Massa is seeking $84 million plus interest in his lawsuit, arguing that these represent the earnings he lost by not winning the championship in 2008. He additionally demands that the FIA acknowledge their failure to investigate and address the scandal upon becoming aware of Renault’s fixed race.

      Who do you think deserves the title of 2008 champion?

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