The events of the 2008 Singapore GP are being discussed in court in London this week.
Felipe Massa wants justice for the events of the 2008 season. PDO
In London this week there will be a trial in a case involving a former F1 driver Felipe Massa claims compensation for events at the 2008 Singapore GP.
Massa demands damages for “crashgate” [kolaritapaus] about the named event and its consequences for about 82 million dollars, or about 70 million euros.
The 2008 Singapore GP is remembered for the secret plot of the Renault team, with the help of which Fernando Alonso was lifted from the tail end as the winner of the competition. This became possible when a team mate Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately drove into the wall, bringing the safety car onto the track at the perfect time for Alonso.
Massa, who was leading the race, lost an almost certain victory when Ferrari messed up the pit stop. The Brazilian ended up with no points in the race.
Massa lost the World Cup battle For Lewis Hamilton in the end in a memorable way with only one World Championship point. Without the events in Singapore, the 2008 season might be remembered as Massa’s championship year.
The events of almost 20 years ago resurfaced a couple of years ago, when the leader of the F1 series in 2008 Bernie Ecclestone admitted in the interview that he knew about the illegal activities of the Renault team.
However, the case of Ecclestone’s influence was kept silent and the final results of the competition were not annulled. If this had been done, Massa would have become the 2008 world champion.
After the interview with Ecclestone, Massa started legal proceedings.
The defendants are Ecclestone, the international automobile association Fia and the company Fom, which manages the commercial rights of the F1 series.
Massa’s claims for damages are based on lost income, which he has not been able to access because of the World Championship title, which he believes was wrongfully lost.
The court hearing began on Tuesday with an oral presentation of the matters to be discussed and interviews with the parties involved.
A decisive court decision for Massa is expected at the end of the week. Then the court is supposed to decide whether there are sufficient grounds for the continuation of the trial or whether the case is judged to be closed.