At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Felipe Massa reunited with his Ferrari F2008, the car he drove in the 2008 Formula 1 season. Massa reflected on that year as both Ferrari’s last championship-winning campaign and his personal best, underlining his hope for official recognition of his 2008 F1 championship claim. The Brazilian narrowly lost the World Drivers’ Championship to Lewis Hamilton by just one point, after briefly holding the lead for 28 seconds at the final race of the season.
The battle for the 2008 title has now escalated to a legal dispute, with Massa challenging the legitimacy of the championship results. The case is scheduled to be heard in the United Kingdom’s High Court in October. This development comes after Massa publicly voiced his feelings about the season and his connection to the Ferrari F2008, which secured Ferrari its last Constructors’ Championship.
Massa expressed joy at driving the iconic car once again and commented on the significance of the 2008 season.
“It’s just an amazing feeling to drive the 2008 car after a long time,”
Massa said.
“This was definitely my best year. A car that we managed to win five times, you know.”
“It was the last Constructors’ Championship of Ferrari.”
With a smile, he added, “Also mine, I would say.”
He further stated,
“But anyway, it’s just an amazing moment, you know, to be here in Goodwood, to see all of these amazing people. And it’s a great feeling to drive again this car after a long time.”
The Legal Fight Over the 2008 Season and ‘Crashgate’ Controversy
Massa’s legal challenge targets Formula One Management (FOM), the FIA, and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, focusing on the controversial 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. That race was marred by the “Crashgate” scandal, in which Nelson Piquet Jr., under orders from Renault, deliberately crashed to deploy a Safety Car and provide an advantage to his teammate Fernando Alonso.
This incident contributed to a chaotic race that saw Massa suffer a problematic pit stop, causing him to lose the lead and finish outside the points. Though the scandal became public only the following year, Ecclestone revealed in 2023 that both he and then FIA president Max Mosley were aware of the wrongdoing at the time it occurred.
“According to the statutes, we should have cancelled the race in Singapore under those conditions,”
Ecclestone told F1-Insider.
“That means it would never have happened for the world championship standings.”
“Then Felipe Massa would have become World Champion and not Lewis Hamilton… today I would have arranged things differently.”
Massa is pursuing not only official acknowledgment as the rightful 2008 World Champion but also financial compensation for the disputed title.
Implications of Massa’s Court Case and Next Steps
The upcoming trial scheduled for October represents a crucial moment for Felipe Massa and the wider Formula 1 community, as it challenges a long-standing outcome in the sport’s history. Recognition of Massa’s claim could lead to significant repercussions for Formula One’s governance and its historical record.
As this high-profile legal battle unfolds, it spotlights the complexities surrounding integrity in competitive racing and the impact of off-track decisions on championship results. Fans and stakeholders are expected to watch closely as Massa seeks to rewrite the official narrative of the 2008 season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is 17 banned in F1?
A. Number 17 is the only driver number that is no longer used in Formula 1. This change honors Jules Bianchi, a French racer. Bianchi was racing with number 17 when he had a tragic accident during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British racing driver in Formula One. He currently drives for Mercedes and has driven for McLaren before. Hamilton openly shares his experiences with ADHD and talks about his wide range of interests and hobbies.
Q. Is number 69 allowed in F1?
A. Drivers can select their own permanent number between 0 and 99, except for number 1. Only the World Drivers’ Champion can choose to use number 1, but it is not mandatory.
Q. What F1 drivers have ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton is a British race car driver born in 1985. He competes in Formula One with the Mercedes team and has raced for McLaren in the past. Hamilton openly talks about having ADHD while exploring his various hobbies and interests.