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Bernie Ecclestone breaks silence on being sued by Felipe Massa over 2008 title fiasco

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Armaan Agarwal | Last updated 3/12/24

The 2008 F1 world championship was riddled in controversy. Lewis Hamilton took the crown on the final lap of the season finale. The British driver defeated Felipe Massa by just a single point. However, the infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal had a profound impact on the standings. Bernie Ecclestone had admitted having knowledge about the incident during the season. Now, Massa has finally taken legal steps against the ex-F1 Supremo, F1 and the FIA.

The Brazilian driver sued F1, the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone for upwards of $160 million. Now, Ecclestone has finally commented on Massa’s steps. The 93-year-old claimed that if Felipe Massa had asked him for advice over the situation, he would’ve agreed that the ex-Ferrari driver should file a lawsuit.

If he had asked me, I would have said it was the complete right thing to do, to sue, and to let an English judge decide what is right and wrong. Bernie Ecclestone told PA media

Bernie Ecclestone highlighted that Felipe Massa should let the English judge decide if the entire saga was correct or not. Massa took to the London High Court for this case after F1 and the FOM did not respond to a letter sent last year regarding the situation. Felipe Massa has affirmed that his battle to overturn historic injustice.

Felipe Massa’s lawsuit takes a dig at allegations on FIA President

While Bernie Ecclestone has commented on Massa’s legal steps, F1 and the FIA have not released any statements. On the flip side, an official statement was released by Brazilian law firm Vieira Rezende Advogados, handling Massa’s case, highlighted the lack of integrity and transparency in the sport. The statement hinted at the recent allegations on FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The statement further emphasized on the need to restore the sport’s credibility in light of recent events. Subsequently, it seems that Felipe Massa reckons that the 2008 title lawsuit might allow F1 and the FIA to finally be held accountable.

Recent events naturally demonstrate that issues of transparency and integrity in Formula 1 remain relevant, and it is clear that serious work is needed to restore its credibility and long-term future. Statement issued as reported by Motorsport.com

Certainly, Felipe Massa’s lawsuit will be making the headlines in the foreseeable future. The Brazilian driver has been adamant on seeking justice over the situation. However, it would be interesting to see how the case evolves in the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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