Felipe Massa’s legal team has decided to give more time to the FIA and F1 to respond their plea as they seek Lewis Hamilton’s help.
Having sent a legal letter to the offices of the FIA and F1, Massa kick-started his case in order to gain compensation for the lost world championship in 2008 to Hamilton. The Brazilian views that the Singapore GP ‘crashgate’ dented his title chances.
Considering that the FIA and F1 knew the happenings in crashgate, they didn’t change the results apart from banning the people involved. It cannot be said with certain that the results in Singapore would have helped in Massa’s win but they feel it did play a role.
The Brazilian lost to Hamilton in the finale and now not only seeks compensation but also a word where it would state that Massa was the rightful champion of the 2008 F1 season. The legal team had given them 15 days to response in August.
But they have now extended it to mid-October after discussions held with the FIA and F1 legal team. “The ball is on their court, we’ve been waiting for their response,” said Bernardo Viana, a partner at law firm Vieira Rezende Advogados to Reuters. “They asked for more time, until mid-October, and in good faith we have agreed to that.”
There was a cold response from both Ferrari current F1 boss Frederic Vasseur and Mercedes driver Hamilton, who drove for McLaren in 2008. But Massa’s legal team is hopeful that the Brit will support the Brazilian’s cause.
“He is an important ambassador for the sport and has always defended sporting integrity,” said Viana. “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.”
Speaking to Italian broadcaster TG1TV, Massa hoped for help from Ferrari as well. “I have one certainty: that title is mine and it is Ferrari’s 16th drivers’ title,” he said. “I have hired a team of very strong lawyers. We will fight to the end to obtain justice in this sport.
“I don’t understand why a case of manipulation cannot be verified in the way right, even if a year, two years or 15 years later. At this moment I have not yet had the support of Ferrari, but I expect help from them. I am optimistic: I will fight for the justice until the end.”
Ever since the initiation of this process, Massa has stayed away from the F1 paddock where rumours of FOM blocking him from attending the Italian GP started to float. But it was understood that the Brazilian himself chose not be present at a venue.
Here’s response from Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton on the case
Here’s details on the legal push