Former F1 chief reacts to 'cheated' driver lawsuit

Bernie Ecclestone looks on at an off-track event — Photo: © IMAGO

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Former F1 chief reacts to 'cheated' driver lawsuit

The former F1 CEO has had his say

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Wednesday 13 March 2024 09:12

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Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has revealed his thoughts on Felipe Massa's legal action aimed against himself, the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM).

Massa has launched a lawsuit attempting to claim between £60 million-£150 million in compensation, after comments made last year by Ecclestone surrounding the 'crashgate' scandal from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

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Ecclestone revealed that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew about Renault's wrongdoing (which resulted in fines and disqualification) long before the incident was actually investigated. The Brit has since said he 'doesn't remember' these comments.

Renault were found guilty of asking Nelson Piquet Jr to purposely crash into the wall in order to help the strategy of team-mate Fernando Alonso, who had just pitted for fresh tyres.

Alonso went on to win the race, while Massa finished outside of the points having been leading comfortably, and Piquet only revealed what had been asked of him a year later, when he was dropped from the team, resulting in an investigation.

Hamilton title validity in doubt

The 2008 world championship was won by a single point by Lewis Hamilton, who finished the Singapore GP up in second.

Massa believes that, had the incident have been investigated sooner, the result of the race may have been null and void, meaning Massa would have won the championship that season, denying Hamilton the first of his seven titles.

Last year, Ecclestone said that Hamilton had great luck in achieving the world championship: “I still feel sorry for Massa today, he won his final at his home race in Sao Paulo, did everything right.

"He was cheated out of the title he deserved, while Hamilton had all the luck in the world and won his first championship.”

Now, the 93-year-old has commented on the latest development in the story, the fact that Massa has officially launched legal proceedings.

“If you ask me, he is doing what is right,” Ecclestone told PA Media.

“I think it is good that he lets an English judge decide.”

“I can't say anything about the verdict or what will happen,” he added. “I really have no idea, I don't think anyone does.”

FIA Singapore Grand Prix Bernie Ecclestone Felipe Massa