Lucas di Grassi Reveals 'Crashgate' Damaged His F1 Career

Former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi has revealed the infamous 'Crashgate' scandal of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix significantly damaged his own racing career, preventing his anticipated promotion to a full-time seat with Renault.

Why it matters:

The 'Crashgate' scandal, which involved Nelson Piquet Jr.'s deliberate crash to aid Fernando Alonso, has resurfaced with Felipe Massa's legal action seeking £64 million for the alleged loss of his 2008 title. Di Grassi's comments add a new dimension to the long-running controversy, highlighting its ripple effects beyond just the championship outcome and into the careers of other drivers.

The Details:

• Massa's Legal Battle: Felipe Massa is suing F1, the FIA, and Bernie Ecclestone, claiming the 'Crashgate' incident cost him the 2008 Drivers' Championship. Massa was present at the High Court in London for the initial three-day hearing.
  • The lawsuit stems from Ecclestone's 2023 admission that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew about Renault's actions at the time but kept silent to "protect the sport."
• Di Grassi's Perspective: Lucas di Grassi, who was Renault's reserve driver in 2008 and a close friend of Massa, witnessed the scandal unfold from the pit wall.
  • He believes Massa was the "moral champion" of 2008 but expressed reservations about opening a legal precedent that could destabilize past championship results.
• Career Impact: Di Grassi revealed that Piquet Jr. was "pretty much fired" before 'Crashgate' broke, and di Grassi was next in line for the racing seat.
  • However, after the Singapore Grand Prix, contract negotiations stalled, Piquet's contract was renewed, and di Grassi was left out of consideration.
  • "It damaged my career," di Grassi stated, suggesting a full-time F1 seat with a better team could have led to scoring points and significantly altered his financial situation.
• Suspicion at the Time: Di Grassi admitted he had suspicions about Piquet's crash but only learned the full story when the incident was officially reviewed.

Between the lines:

Di Grassi's account underscores the far-reaching and often unacknowledged consequences of such a high-profile scandal. While Massa seeks redress for a championship, Di Grassi's revelation illustrates how manipulative actions can derail the careers of innocent parties, impacting their potential trajectory and financial stability within the cutthroat world of Formula 1.

What's next:

Massa's legal case continues, with the outcome potentially setting a significant precedent for how historical sporting controversies are handled. Regardless of the legal resolution, di Grassi's story serves as a poignant reminder of the collateral damage caused by unethical practices in motorsport.