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“This Is Bulls**t”: Felipe Massa Berates FIA’s Minor Punishment Over Lewis Hamilton’s Controversial Title Win

Published 08/25/2023, 6:48 AM EDT

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via Imago

How would you feel if someone’s deliberate illegal action deprived you of your lifelong goal? Well, this is exactly how Felipe Massa feels about the 2008 championship that was plagued with the crashgate incident. Had Crashgate not happened, Massa believes that he would’ve been the world champion. Nonetheless, as Lewis Hamilton took the controversial 2008 title, Felipe Massa decided to slander FIA’s measly punishment. What did Massa say?

Felipe Massa is on a roll with his bold statement and actions in the last month or so. After presenting the idea of taking the governing body of F1 to court for the crashgate incident, the Brazilian recently filed a suit. Massa is looking for the result to be overturned in his favor, for Hamilton to be stripped of his 1st championship and it to be given to him. The former Ferrari driver is also seeking compensation for the moral and reputational damages. 

via Imago

Talking about the crashgate incident and how the FIA reacted to it, Felipe Massa suggested that the punishment for the guilty was next to none. Renault faced a suspended permanent disqualification whereas Briatore was permanently banned from the sport.

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However, Massa isn’t happy with the punishment. As per motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, Felipe Massa told the Athletic “The punishment was not a punishment, someone paid for it. This is – sorry for the word – but this is bulls**t.” [translated via Google]

However hopes for the case to be a success seem to be very low, as the lead suspect, around whose word the whole case was built, has now retracted his statement. Who’s this guy? 

Bernie Ecclestone retracts his statement leaving Felipe Massa in a fix

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Bernie Ecclestone is known for saying many things. Sometimes things that aren’t really true. This might be the case with his statement about the crashgate incident. Earlier, Ecclestone advised that the FIA knew about the crashgate incident before the end of the season. So rightfully, the FIA should’ve investigated the matter. However, that wasn’t the case and Hamilton was crowned the champion, and only after the season ended was the matter investigated.

via Imago

Regardless, that earlier statement holds no value now as Ecclestone again made a statement advising the fact that he doesn’t remember saying anything like that. Sources suggest that Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters, “I don’t remember any of this, to be honest. I don’t remember giving the interview for sure.”

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Written by:

Pranay Bhagi

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Pranay Bhagi is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports, who has always been passionate about sports and writing. With a degree from a prestigious institute, he has channeled his enthusiasm into sports journalism, particularly F1, a sport that has captivated him for over a decade. Pranay's deep-rooted love for the sport began during the Sebastian Vettel era, and he has been following it religiously ever since.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar