F1's 2008 championship controversy reignited
Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has taken legal action against F1 bosses and its governing body, the FIA. Massa claims he lost the 2008 title to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, which was due to the 'crash-gate' scandal at Renault's Singapore Grand Prix.
Renault's former team principal, Flavio Briatore, and coach Pat Symonds were banned for life from F2008 in 2009 for planning team driver Nelson Piquet Jr.'s involvement in a late-race crash with Sebastian Vettel at the 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Massa's lawyers allege that the accident prevented Massa from winning the race and enabled Hamilton to win the championship.
Hamilton did not want to comment on this issue ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. “He has a really bad memory,” Hamilton told reporters in Zandvoort.zam I don't remember much, to be honest." said.
"Right now I'm just focused on the here and now and helping the team get back to the championship and the challenge."
“I'm not really focused on what happened 15 years ago.”
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone triggered Massa's legal bid with comments attributed to Massa. “We wanted to protect the sport and save it from a major scandal,” Ecclestone told F1-Insider in a recent interview. said.
“I still feel sorry for Massa; He was deprived of the title he deserved. Hamilton had all the luck in the world and won his first title."
Ecclestone's comments were described by Massa's lawyers as "disrespectful and unfair".
Massa's legal bid has reignited debates over the 1 championship in F2008.