Felipe Massa's 2008 F1 Title Challenge: Should Hamilton's Rival Be Recognized?

Felipe Massa's legal challenge against Bernie Ecclestone, Formula 1, and the FIA has officially begun. The Brazilian driver is seeking recognition as the rightful 2008 F1 Drivers' Champion, among other claims. While Massa is not aiming to strip Lewis Hamilton of his first of seven titles, a successful outcome for Massa would mark a monumental moment in Formula 1 history.

Massa, an 11-time Grand Prix winner, never again contended for the championship after 2008, with a severe injury in Hungary in 2009 impacting his natural pace. His last victory was at Interlagos in 2008, a race famously decided by Hamilton's last-corner overtake on Timo Glock to clinch the title.

Why it matters:

• This lawsuit could fundamentally alter how F1's historical records are viewed, potentially rewriting a championship outcome 16 years later.
• It raises critical questions about the integrity of past F1 seasons and the accountability of its governing bodies.
• A ruling in Massa's favor would set a precedent for future appeals regarding championship results impacted by later-revealed controversies.

The Details:

• Massa's case hinges on former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone's claim that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew about the 'crashgate' scandal before the end of the 2008 season.
• The scandal involved Nelson Piquet Jr.'s deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to benefit his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso.
• Had the Singapore Grand Prix been voided, Massa would have been champion. Hamilton finished third, earning six crucial points, while Massa failed to score after a disastrous pit stop where he left with his fuel hose still attached.
• Hamilton won the 2008 championship by a mere one point over Massa, making the Singapore race's outcome critical.
• Massa is also seeking approximately £64 million (plus interest) in damages for lost earnings he believes he would have secured as an F1 champion.
• He further demands that the FIA admit it violated its own regulations by not immediately investigating the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix upon becoming aware of the deliberate crash.

What's next:

• The legal proceedings will likely be protracted, with significant implications for all parties involved.
• The outcome could force a re-evaluation of how F1 addresses historical injustices and the scope of its power to rectify past results.
• Regardless of the verdict, this case ensures that the contentious 2008 season and the 'crashgate' scandal will once again be at the forefront of F1 discussions, prompting fans and pundits alike to reconsider the legacy of that championship battle.