Ecclestone gives bold prediction on Massa's chances of overturning Hamilton title
Ecclestone gives bold prediction on Massa's chances of overturning Hamilton title
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has declared his support for Lewis Hamilton following the start of Felipe Massa’s legal action against the FIA.
Massa lost the 2008 championship by a point to Lewis Hamilton, after a dramatic final corner overtake on Timo Glock that saw the title swing back in the Brit’s favour with seconds to go.
On the 15th anniversary of the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, a race overshadowed by Crashgate - a tactical decision by Renault to purposely crash in order to aid their strategy, Massa is ready to launch a bid to take the 2008 title away from Hamilton.
If the results of the race were to be ignored, Massa would become champion, and Hamilton would be reduced to having just six titles.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Albon EXCITED by new Williams F1 project as star driver enjoys extra responsibility
Ecclestone: Massa clan only cares about money
“The Massa clan only cares about money,” Ecclestone told Blick. “But the chances of that happening are zero. Hamilton and Mercedes could have filed a lawsuit against the FIA after the not very clean 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi.”
Massa fired back at Ecclestone, claiming that his comments made him even more motivated to chase what could have been.
“This made me lift the antenna and go after justice,” he said. “I'm not a lawyer, but everyone knows, I was clearly wronged and I think justice is part of our fight to get what happened right.
“That was a stolen run. It was manipulation, which is a very serious thing. It wasn't an engine that broke down. There was also an engine that broke, but that's part of the game.”
Sadly, Massa failed to make another title challenge in his F1 career, with 2008 remaining the closest a Brazilian has got to winning an F1 crown since Ayrton Senna in 1991.
While legal processes are under way, the he FIA and FOM have so far declined to comment on Massa's case.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Verstappen setup quirk which allows Red Bull to make car even fasters
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner admits Red Bull star may NEVER return to team
- 4 minutes ago
F1 team OFFICIALLY confirms signing of new lead driver
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton hints Newey Ferrari move as Verstappen takes swipe at F1 rival
- 3 hours ago
Newey Red Bull EXIT date revealed as F1 star confirmed at new team - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
- Yesterday 22:57
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- Yesterday 21:57
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860