Felipe Massa’s 2008 title hopes hinge on London judge

Felipe Massa’s long pursuit of justice over the 2008 Formula One world championship has reached a critical moment as the Brazilian awaits a ruling from a London judge on whether his landmark case against the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone can proceed to a full trial.

The case, filed earlier this year in the UK’s High Court, stems from the infamous “Crashgate” scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix — a race manipulated by Renault when Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to aid teammate Fernando Alonso.

Massa’s legal team argues that the FIA and FOM knew of the wrongdoing that season but failed to act promptly, costing him the world championship he lost to Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

During a three-day pre-trial hearing held in late October, Massa’s lawyers claimed F1’s governing bodies “conspired to protect the sport’s image” rather than uphold integrity. They cited public comments from Ecclestone in which he admitted the authorities were aware of Renault’s deliberate crash before the end of the 2008 season but chose not to intervene.

Massa’s counsel insists that, had an immediate investigation taken place, the Singapore race could have been annulled — a change that would have made Massa world champion. The defence — representing the FIA, FOM, and Ecclestone — has countered that the case is time-barred, arguing Massa waited far too long to bring his claim.

They also maintain that Ferrari’s own mistakes, including a botched pit stop in Singapore, played a major role in his championship loss. Their lawyers warned that reopening a 17-year-old sporting result threatens the finality and credibility of competition.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Jay has now reserved his decision, expected in the coming weeks, on whether the case will advance. If allowed to proceed, it would mark the first time a court formally scrutinizes whether F1 officials breached their own regulations during the 2008 season.

A full trial would involve witness testimony from senior figures such as Ecclestone, former FIA president Max Mosley, and ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt — who recently confirmed he suspected Piquet’s crash was intentional at the time.

At stake for Massa is not only the potential for around £64 million in damages for lost income and sponsorship opportunities but also the moral victory of having the record set straight. Although his claim does not explicitly seek to strip Hamilton’s title, it challenges the legitimacy of the final standings and the accountability of F1’s rulers.

Should the judge dismiss the claim, Massa’s fight may end there. But if he succeeds, the case could open a precedent-setting trial — one that revisits one of Formula One’s darkest chapters and tests how far the law can reach into the past to rewrite motorsport history.