What started off as a rumor and a wanton belief to seemingly ‘right’ the history books has now taken a serious turn. The 2008 Formula 1 season will always be relived for one historic high, and one devastating low. 7x champion, Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion for the very first time as he crossed the line at the Brazilian Grand Prix, in just his 2nd full season in the sport. However, just a few races back, at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet Jr. would get himself embroiled in ‘Crashgate’.

In a nutshell, Piquet Jr. crashed purposefully during the race to essentially bring out a perfectly calculated Safety Car to hand his teammate, Fernando Alonso a win. This in essence was Crashgate. But how has that led to a $13,000,000 lawsuit threatened by Felipe Massa against F1 and Hamilton? Well, Massa lost out on that championship by a single point. And he feels, the manipulated result, where he could’ve gained that extra point, and the FIA’s silence are enough cause for legal action.

Another twist in the Crashgate tale

Massa wants that championship to be credited to him. And he’s given an ultimatum to F1 and the FIA to right the wrongs of 15 years ago. If they don’t, he will drag the circus through to the courts. But with the deadline to file a case fast approaching, a new conundrum has reared its head.

Massa’s head lawyer, Bernardo Viana was quoted by SoyMotor.com as saying, “It is very difficult to set a deadline because we are talking about different courts and jurisdictions. A process like this can take years and we are prepared to face it, there is no problem.”

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“What I can tell you is that we do not control the time of the FIA ​​and FOM but that we will always move as fast as possible Now the ball is in the court of the FIA ​​and F1, they are the ones who will dictate whether the matter is resolved quickly or not, it depends on whether they present an adequate and serious response. As soon as the ball returns, we will work as quickly as possible.” [translated via Google]

Shocking Details of Lewis Hamilton’s Hide & Seek Affair With Ferrari in Frederic Vasseur’s Backyard

But why has it taken 15 long years for Massa to finally seek ‘justice’?

How Ferrari stopped Massa’s Hamilton lawsuit back in 2008

It’s been 15 long years since Massa was allegedly robbed of his title. However, it is only in 2023 that the Brazilian racing ace has even decided to reopen the case and push for his rights. But as it turns out, he was advised to stay quiet back in 2008.

Massa was quoted as revealing, “There is a rule that says that when a championship is decided, from the moment the driver receives the champion’s trophy, things can no longer be changed, even if it has been proven a theft.”

“At the time, Ferrari‘s lawyers told me about this rule. We went to other lawyers and the answer was that nothing could be done. So I logically believed in this situation.”

Do you think F1 should ‘return’ the 2008 world driver’s title to Felipe Massa?

WATCH THIS STORY | How Fernando Alonso’s 2008 Singapore GP Win Became One of F1’s Worst Controversies – Crashgate