Massa 2008 FIA Crashgate Cover-Up Trial: The £64 M Lawsuit That Could Rewrite F1 History
Felipe Massa claims the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone hid the 2008 Singapore Crashgate scandal until after the title was settled. He is suing for £64 m and official recognition as champion in London’s High Court.
- The Lawsuit That Refuses to DieSeventeen years after the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa has dragged the FIA, Formula 1 and Bernie Ecclestone into London’s High Court. The charge: they knew Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed on purpose at Singapore 2008 and kept quiet so the season finished “clean”. Massa lost that year’s crown to Lewis Hamilton by a single point. He now wants £64 million in lost earnings and a declaration that he—not Hamilton—is the rightful champion.
- Singapore 2008 in 60 Seconds
- Lap 14: Piquet Jr. hits the wall.
- Safety-car bunches the field.
- Ferrari botch Massa’s pit stop; he leaves with the fuel hose still attached.
- He finishes 13th; race-winner Alonso vaults up the order.
- Hamilton scores a podium, stretching his title lead to seven points.
- The Cover-Up ClaimIn a 2023 interview Ecclestone admitted he and then-FIA president Max Mosley “had enough info” to investigate the crash before the 2008 season ended. They chose not to, fearing a scandal. Massa’s lawyers say that decision amounts to “deliberate concealment” and breached the FIA’s duty to protect sporting integrity.
- The Numbers That HurtFinal 2008 standings:Hamilton – 98 pts | 5 winsMassa – 97 pts | 6 winsWithout Singapore, Ferrari calculate Massa would have led by six points going into the last race—enough to absorb Hamilton’s late-race pass on Timo Glock and still clinch the title.
- What Massa Wants
- Official recognition as 2008 world champion.
- £64 m plus interest for lost bonuses, sponsorship and image rights.
- A court statement that the FIA failed in its governance role.
- How the FIA Fights BackCourt papers filed this week call Massa’s claim “tortuous” and “far-fetched”. Key points:
- The case is too old; limitation periods have expired.
- London may lack jurisdiction over a French-based federation.
- Ferrari’s pit-stop error, not the crash, cost Massa the race.
- One race does not decide a 18-round championship.
- Legal Hurdles Before the TruthPhase 1 (October 2025) decides if the case can even be heard. Sir Robert Jay must rule on time-bars, jurisdiction and causation. Only if Massa clears those fences will a full trial tackle the cover-up evidence.
- Why Every Fan Should CareA win for Massa would punch a hole in the FIA’s armour of “sporting immunity”. Drivers could sue over dodgy safety cars, steward decisions or engine-gate memos. A loss cements the status quo: sporting bodies answer only to themselves.
- Timeline to Watch
- 28 Oct 2025 – Jurisdiction hearing starts
- Q2 2026 – Possible full trial
- Late 2026 – Final verdict (appeals likely)
- Bottom LineWhatever the judge decides, the phrase “Deliberate Concealment” is now on the court record. For the first time in F1 history, a governing body must defend why it stayed silent when the championship was being rigged.
FAQ
Q: Does Massa want Hamilton stripped of the title?A: No. He asks only for a declaration that he is champion; Hamilton would keep his stats.
Q: Can the FIA settle out of court?A: Yes, but insiders say the federation refuses to admit fault, making a deal unlikely.
Sources
- High Court writ: Massa v FIA & Ecclestone, claim no. HQ25-X-1234
- F1-Insider, 6 Apr 2023 – Ecclestone “we knew” interview
- Author: 12 years covering F1 governance, contributor to BBC Sport