Some aspects of the case will now be examined by the United Kingdom Supreme Court, which will determine if and how the legal proceedings can continue.
Green light for an initial compensation
The news initially went largely unnoticed because it reached media outlets worldwide during the first weekend of the Formula 1 season, at the dawn of a highly anticipated and controversial regulatory revolution. However, the latest updates from the lawsuit filed by former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa against Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and the FOM over the events of the 2008 Crashgate scandal deserve a thorough look.
The Brazilian former driver has achieved another significant victory following the one in November 2025, when the London High Court rejected the defendants’ request to have the case dismissed and allowed the proceedings to move forward. This time, Massa obtained—through a court order—that the FIA, the FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone must pay him £250,000 (approximately €288,000) covering part of the legal expenses that the former Ferrari driver incurred during the proceedings. This sum must be paid to Massa within 14 days. The news was first reported by the British broadcaster Sky Sports News.
Hamilton’s 2008 title remains undisputed
For completeness, it should be noted that in November the court had already established that Massa had the right to attempt to obtain compensation for damages related to the controversy, but had rejected his request to have a declaration stating that he should have been awarded the 2008 Drivers’ World Championship.
The first career World Championship won by Lewis Hamilton therefore remains undisputed and will stay in his hands regardless of the final outcome of this legal proceeding. The judge, however, partially upheld some requests from the defendants and certified that a significant legal matter within the case should be referred directly to the Supreme Court for a decision.
The next steps
This additional step temporarily suspends the trial while the United Kingdom Supreme Court deliberates. The three most sensitive points appear to be: whether a case dating back to 2008 can be brought to court today; whether the FIA and Formula 1 had a legal obligation to intervene when the Crashgate scandal emerged; and whether a driver can claim financial damages for a championship lost due to alleged manipulation.
The Supreme Court’s decision will not automatically determine the winner of the case, but will decide ‘only’ whether and how the trial can proceed. The ultimate goal of Massa and his legal team is to secure compensation of £64 million, equivalent to over €73 million.
Felipe Massa’s persistence in the “Crashgate” legal battle has resulted in a tangible financial win, as the courts require the FIA and FOM to cover a portion of his rising legal fees. While Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 trophy remains safe, the focus now shifts to the UK Supreme Court to see if Massa’s multi-million euro compensation claim can move forward.
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