Crashgate | Massa's lawyers grant extension to F1, but don't give up: "Felipe a victim of injustice"

Crashgate, Felipe Massa remains confident
Felipe Massa and his lawyers are living days of hopeful anticipation. Their complaint against the FIA and Formula 1 regarding the 2008 title has prompted an internal investigation by the bodies governing the sport. The investigation, initially set to conclude on October 12, will now continue until November 15 at the latest, thanks to a one-month extension requested by F1 and the FIA and granted by the Brazilian’s legal team. This extension aims to thoroughly examine the complaint and avoid the proceedings reaching a courtroom at the last minute.

Comments from the Lawyers
One of Felipe Massa’s attorneys, Bernardo Viana, released a statement regarding the battle between his client and F1: “The FIA and FOM are completing an internal investigation and have requested a final extension to the initial deadline, from October 12 to November 15. We have consented, because if the new administration is genuinely examining the matter in good faith, it will surely reach the same conclusion that we and many people around the world have reached. We would like to know the position of the new leadership of Formula 1 regarding the recently disclosed scandal and the injustice suffered by Massa.” – he explained.

What Is Crashgate
The race in question was the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, the first-ever race held in Singapore’s history. Starting from pole position, the Brazilian had a great chance to take the championship lead. However, on the 14th lap, Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed into the wall, causing the Safety Car to be deployed to favor his teammate Fernando Alonso, who had recently pitted, enabling him to climb the leaderboard and ultimately win ahead of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton gained six points on Massa, who, due to a mishap with Ferrari during the pit stop under the Safety Car, left with the fuel hose still attached. Massa finished in 13th place.

What was initially dismissed as a flawed race took on a completely different light a year later when Piquet Jr. was dismissed by Flavio Briatore. The Brazilian spilled the beans on Singapore 2008, revealing that he was asked to crash deliberately to favor Renault’s result and Fernando Alonso’s race. He accepted out of fear of not having his contract renewed. The FIA’s investigation led to formal accusations of the French team interfering with the race’s outcome, while Flavio Briatore was banned from Formula 1 and any managerial role (the decision was overturned in 2010, and the manager officially returned in 2022 as the head of hospitality and ambassador). Despite the FIA considering the outcome of the Grand Prix manipulated, the 2008 World Championship – won by Hamilton by just one point over Massa – takes the Singapore race into account. Fifteen years later, former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone stated that Felipe Massa was cheated out of the title, and the Circus knew everything, an admission that sparked the legal action by the former Ferrari driver. However, his chances of winning the title are almost non-existent. Still, Massa aims for the satisfaction of receiving significant compensation for economic and moral damages.