Author: Monojit Mandal
In a surprising turn of events, the lawyers representing former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa have launched legal proceedings to demand considerable compensation for what they believe was an intentional scam that cost Massa the 2008 world title. The complaint accuses Formula One’s governing body and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) of a damaging conspiracy.
Enyo Law, a London-based law firm that represents Massa, formally filed an eight-page letter stating its position. The message, a legal notice prior to any legal action, is addressed to the CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, and the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, both based in Paris.
Enyo Law’s legal case is based on the allegation that Massa, now 42, was the victim of a planned plot conducted at the highest levels of Formula 1, involving both the FIA and Formula 1 Management. According to the newspaper, Massa lost tens of millions of euros as a result of a premeditated accident organized by another driver during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. This crash, which allegedly cost Massa valuable points, was supposedly kept secret until it became a full-blown controversy in 2009.
The consequences of this planned collision were very serious, as it cost Massa the title by a single point, which was won by Lewis Hamilton of the McLaren team. Enyo Law’s letter categorically states that Massa was the true winner of the 2008 Drivers’ Championship and accuses Formula 1 and the FIA of deliberately concealing the irregularities that deprived him of this honor.
Although Massa cannot assess his losses at the moment, his legal representatives estimate that they are probably in the tens of millions of euros. The revelation by former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in March that he and former FIA president Max Mosley were aware of, but failed to act on, the 2008 accident involving Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. sparked this legal action.
Formula 1 has yet to respond, which is especially noteworthy given the sport’s sabbatical in August. It’s worth mentioning that the current CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, was Massa’s team manager when he raced for Ferrari.