F1 News
Massa: "When you hear Toto Wolff talking about 2021, Ferrari should do the same"
- GPblog.com
Felipe Massa has no intention of giving up his legal battle for the 2008 world title. The former Formula One driver is now seeking support from his old team Ferrari, which Massa says has been equally robbed of a title.
Statements by former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who admitted that the sport's top executives knew about Crashgate, motivated Massa to file a lawsuit. The goal: to win the world title, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton in the final seconds of the last Grand Prix in 2008. Whether that is a realistic goal remains to be seen. Still, Massa is seeking compensation for damages.
In August, Massa took an important step with a 'Letter Before Claim', officially informing the FIA and F1 of his planned legal action. A response to this letter should be forthcoming this month.
Massa: 'Ferrari also lost a championship'
While it sounds from various quarters that the case is hopeless, Massa can also count on the necessary support. For instance, he is told by people that he should not give up because what took place is not fair. According to Massa, this is not part of the sport and he is doing it for the justice and transparency of F1.
"It is unacceptable that a manipulated race affects the outcome of the championship," Massa said in conversation with Motorsport.com. The Brazilian hopes for support from his old team Ferrari, but understands that it is a tricky situation that some people prefer not to speak out openly about. Still, somewhere he is counting on it: "We lost the championship. The championship was taken away from us, from me and from Ferrari."
Massa seeks support from Ferrari
He also points to statements made by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who is keeping a close eye on the matter in view of the outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which Max Verstappen took the title at the expense of Lewis Hamilton. "When you hear Toto Wolff talking about 2021, Ferrari has to do the same. Ferrari has to fight for what's best for the team," Massa said.
At the moment, Ferrari has not yet made it known that it is behind the former driver. Massa thinks the Italian racing stable wants to wait and see what will happen first, but hopes to eventually count on the support of his former F1 team.