Felipe Massa Claims Ferrari Silenced Him Over Alonso's 'Crashgate' Knowledge

Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa alleges the team attempted to silence him in 2009 after he raised doubts about Fernando Alonso’s awareness of the infamous 'Crashgate' scandal. This revelation comes as Massa's legal battle, contesting the outcome of the 2008 World Championship, commenced this week in London's High Court.

Why it matters:

Felipe Massa's long-running pursuit of justice for the 2008 F1 title has entered a critical phase with his legal case. His new claim that Ferrari tried to reprimand him for comments about Alonso adds another layer of intrigue and potential controversy, casting a shadow on the team's historical conduct and Alonso's long-held denial of involvement. The outcome of this case could significantly alter how the F1 historical record is perceived and potentially lead to unprecedented compensation.

The Details:

• Legal Battle Initiated: Massa's legal proceedings, seeking up to $82 million in damages, began this week at the High Court in London.
• 2008 Championship Context: Massa controversially lost the 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton by a single point. This loss was heavily influenced by the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault's Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to aid teammate Fernando Alonso's victory – an incident known as 'Crashgate'. Massa, who was leading that race, finished 13th, losing crucial points.
• Ecclestone's Revelation: Massa initiated legal action in 2023 following an interview where former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew about the deliberate crash during the 2008 season but opted not to act to prevent a 'huge scandal'. Ecclestone expressed sympathy for Massa, stating he was "cheated out of the title he deserved."
• Alonso's Denial and Massa's Allegations: Alonso, Massa's future Ferrari teammate from 2010-2013, has always denied knowledge of Renault's plot. However, Massa claimed in 2009 that Alonso was aware of Piquet's deliberate crash. In his recent witness statement, Massa revealed Ferrari sent him a letter in October 2009 "reprimanding" him for these public comments about Alonso and that he "refused" to issue a drafted statement.
• Massa's Continuing Doubts: Massa reiterated in 2023 that he believes Alonso knew of the plan, noting that Alonso always evaded a "clear conversation" on the subject. "When the person doesn't want to talk in the right way, we know that maybe he knew everything. I'm sure he knew it," Massa stated.

Looking Ahead:

The High Court case will now delve deeper into these claims, potentially bringing to light new evidence and testimonies. The outcome will not only determine a significant financial sum for Massa but could also have profound implications for the integrity of Formula 1's past results and how the sport handles historical injustices.

• The case continues to explore whether the FIA, Formula One Management, and Bernie Ecclestone can be held liable for not investigating 'Crashgate' in 2008.
• The legal process will scrutinize Ferrari's alleged actions to silence Massa, adding complexity to the team's historical narrative.
• This legal challenge could set a precedent for future appeals regarding historical F1 championship outcomes, though the unique circumstances of 'Crashgate' make it a singular case.