Audi F1 livery concept revealed ahead of 2026 debut
November 14, 2025
Formula 1 and the FIA are the targets of Felipe Massa‘s legal action which Bernie Ecclestone claims is “only about money” as the former driver aims to have the 2008 F1 championship title overturned.
Massa has mobilized a team of lawyers and launched legal action against Formula 1 and the organization that governs the sport, claiming that he was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by high ranking bosses.
According to London-based Enyo Law firm, which is representing the Brazilian driver, Massa suffered significant financial losses totaling tens of millions of euros as a result of forfeited wages and bonuses.
This was as a result of a deliberate crash caused by the Renault team at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix which ultimately turned out to be one of the biggest controversies in F1 history.
The FIA later launched an investigation into Nelson Piquet Jr’s crash with their findings indicating the set up nature of the incident.
The governing body determined in 2009 that Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, director of engineering Pat Symonds, and Piquet Jr. collaborated to trigger the crash and the safety car to gain an advantage.
The incident reshuffled the starting order for the race, giving Renault driver Fernando Alonso the edge that propelled him to win.
However, the move effectively compromised Felipe Massa’s race strategy which was compounded by a botched pit stop as his fuel hose remained attached, ultimately finishing down in 13th well out of the points.
The setback saw McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton overcome Massa at the final round in Brazil to claim the 2008 F1 championship title by a single point.
The comments made earlier this year by former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone about what happened behind the scenes after the controversial incident at Marina Bay led to Massa’s unexpected legal action over the disputed outcome of the 2008 F1 Championship title fifteen years later.
Felipe Massa takes legal action over 2008 title loss to Hamilton
Ecclestone stated in an interview that was published in April of last year on the German website F1-Insider that he and former FIA president Max Mosley were fully aware of what happened in Singapore at the time.
However, they decided to ignore the incident in an effort to “protect the sport” and to postpone an official investigation until the year that followed, when it would be impossible to overturn the championship’s outcome.
Ecclestone has subsequently denied his previous statements to F1-Insider, claiming he doesn’t recall the conversation.
Ecclestone also expressed his opinions on Massa’s legal action in a piece that was published on Tuesday by Switzerland’s Blick.
“The Massa clan only cares about money,” said the former F1 supremo. “But the chances of that happening are zero.
“Hamilton and Mercedes could have filed a lawsuit against the FIA after the not very clean 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi.”
All F1 World Champions by year – Formula 1 history
Most F1 race wins: Drivers with most victories in Formula 1 history
Since last August, Massa has refuted claims that his legal fight is motivated by money on numerous occasions, insisting that his main goals are justice for himself and the sport.
This week, the legal team representing the 42-year-old former F1 driver ramped up its efforts in an attempt to hold F1 and the FIA accountable for their actions at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
They did this by sending preservation orders to all parties involved in the incident, requesting that they preserve all records relevant to the case.
Ferrari, Renault, previous ING sponsor of Renault, former team manager Briatore, Symonds, and sporting director Steve Nielsen are among the recipients.
Additionally, Massa’s attorneys are trying to get Lewis Hamilton to back their case.
“He is an important ambassador for the sport and has always defended sporting integrity,” said Bernardo Viana – from the Sao Paulo Vieira Rezende Advogados law firm that represents Massa in Brazil.
“He is an honorary Brazilian citizen and very well-liked by Brazilians, so I hope he will support us. We have absolutely nothing against Hamilton.”
