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Massa’s ‘Crashgate’ Lawsuit Reaches UK Court as F1, FIA and Ecclestone Seek Dismissal

The Brazilian driver argues a failure to promptly investigate the 2008 Singapore crash denied him the championship.

Overview

  • A three-day hearing opened at the Royal Courts of Justice before Mr Justice Jay to consider strike-out and summary dismissal bids from F1, the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone.
  • Massa seeks roughly £60–64 million in damages and a declaration he should have won the 2008 title after the manipulated Singapore Grand Prix, and he is not asking to strip Lewis Hamilton of his crown.
  • The FIA’s filed defense calls the claim “torturous” and “overly ambitious,” asserting Massa and Ferrari errors — notably a botched pit stop — explain the lost points.
  • The lawsuit leans on Ecclestone’s 2023 comments that leaders knew of the deliberate crash, though he now says he does not remember the interview and suggests misinterpretation.
  • The hearing is due to finish Friday, with the judge to decide after submissions whether the case proceeds to a full trial, and a ruling is likely at a later date.