Felipe Massa's Crashgate Lawsuit: Trial Proceedings outcomes

On September 14, 2008, during the Singapore Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed his Renault on lap 14 to trigger a safety car period, benefiting teammate Fernando Alonso. Now in 2025, Felipe Massa (pictured center) is in court fighting for what he feels is rightfully his.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

This “Crashgate” incident, revealed in 2009, led to the FIA investigating and banning Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and engineer Pat Symonds. However, the FIA did not revisit the race results or 2008 Drivers’ Championship standings, which Lewis Hamilton won by one point over Felipe Massa.

Massa filed a High Court lawsuit in July 2024 against the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, seeking £64-90 million ($82-115 million) in damages for lost earnings, sponsorships, and recognition as the 2008 champion. He claims the FIA breached its regulations by failing to promptly investigate and annul the Singapore results, which cost him the title. The suit alleges Ecclestone and former FIA president Max Mosley knew of the crash plot mid-season but concealed it to protect the sport’s image.

The pre-trial hearing opened on October 28, 2025, in London’s Royal Courts of Justice—coinciding with Ecclestone’s 95th birthday—before Mr. Justice Sir Robert Jay. It spanned three days (October 28-30), focusing on the defendants’ application to strike out the claim on grounds of excessive delay (17 years) and lack of merit.

Key arguments:
– Massa’s counsel, Nick De Marco KC, asserted the FIA’s inaction violated its duty of integrity, citing Ecclestone’s 2023 admission of prior knowledge. De Marco argued annulling Singapore would have awarded Massa the championship, with viable prospects for success.
– FIA’s John Mehrzad KC countered that Massa’s pit stop error (jammed fuel hose) and Ferrari’s strategy caused his 13th-place finish, not Crashgate. He emphasized Hamilton’s season-long superiority and the claim’s untimeliness.
– FOM’s Anneliese Day KC and Ecclestone’s David Quest KC echoed delay and causation issues, noting Massa did not pursue legal action earlier despite 2009 revelations. Quest dismissed Ecclestone’s interview as unreliable memory.

Massa testified on Ferrari issuing him a “gagging order” post-scandal, restricting public comments. Public criticism emerged, with some media labeling the suit opportunistic.

The hearing concluded October 30, 2025, with Justice Jay reserving judgment. As of November 2, 2025, no ruling has been issued; the court will decide whether the case proceeds to a full trial.