Author: Barkha Roy
The lawsuit filed by Felipe Massa against Formula 1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had its first direct consequence for the Brazilian driver this week. Formula 1 management has requested that Massa, who is trying to regain the 2008 World Championship title, not take part in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday (September 3).
The race at the historic Monza circuit is one of the most important of the season and is usually attended by Massa due to his association with Ferrari, the team he raced for from 2006 to 2013. In addition, as an “ambassador” for Formula 1, the Brazilian usually takes part in several races throughout the year.
Massa had similar plans for this year’s Italian Grand Prix. The 2008 Formula 1 world runner-up, especially with Ferrari, was looking forward to meeting his friends and the Italian fans again this weekend in Monza. However, he received a request from Formula 1 not to visit the circuit. Massa did not board a flight and remained in São Paulo.
Tensions have also risen between the parties over Formula 1’s decision to remove a banner showing Italian fans’ support for Massa in relation to his legal battle to regain the 2008 World Championship title. The banner had been placed on one of the fences at the Italian circuit, right in front of the Ferrari pit, by members of the Ferrari Club Caprino Bergamasco. The banner read “Felipe Massa, 2008 World Champion”.
On Friday (September 1), before the start of the first free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 team asked the fans to remove the banner. Their argument was that the banner was obstructing the view of part of the crowd. In practice, however, it was fixed to the underside of the stands.
The request for Massa not to take part in the Grand Prix is related to the lawsuit that the Brazilian driver filed last month against the Formula 1 organization and the FIA over the 2008 title. He’s seeking recognition for winning the championship. That season, he finished as runner-up, while Englishman Lewis Hamilton won the title by just one point in the championship standings.
The 2008 season is famous for the “Singaporegate” scandal. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately caused an accident under the orders of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore to benefit his teammate, Spanish driver Fernando Alonso.
This accident interrupted the race, directly damaging Massa, who was the championship leader and on his way to his first Formula 1 title. Years later, Nelson Piquet Sr. came out to confirm the orders he had received at the time.
This issue came to the fore again this year when Bernie Ecclestone, the former head of Formula One, admitted that he had been aware of Renault’s orders in 2008, years before Nelson Piquet’s revelation. According to Formula 1 regulations, championship results cannot be changed once they have been finalized. However, Ecclestone’s statement exposed the fact that the result of that world championship could have been changed before the end of the competition.
As a result, Massa filed a lawsuit against Formula 1 and the FIA, seeking compensation from both entities for the alleged “millionaire loss” he suffered for not winning the championship. The leaders of these organizations have already been briefed on the legal procedures, which is a mandatory step when the English legal system is involved.