Felipe Massa tragically lost the 2008 Formula 1 Championship for Ferrari in the final corner of the last race. Earlier this year, Bernie Ecclestone allegedly revealed that he and Max Mosley knew about the Crashgate scandal and remained quiet. This prompted Felipe Massa to start legal proceedings against Formula 1 and the FIA to get compensation. Here’s what’s happening.
Deadline Extended
Felipe Massa’s legal team had given a deadline of 12th October to Formula 1 and the FIA for their response. However, both the governing bodies requested some more time to finish their investigations.
Bernardo Viana, the lawyer of Felipe Massa, revealed they’ve granted an extension till 15th November. He said, “FIA and FOM are completing an internal investigation and have requested one last extension to the deadline they initially asked for, from 12 October to 15 November.”
“We have agreed to this final period because if the new administration is indeed looking into the matter in good faith, they will certainly reach the same conclusion we and so many people around the world have.
“We would like to know what Formula 1’s new leadership’s position is on the recently disclosed scandal and the injustice faced by Felipe Massa.”
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Felipe Massa & legal team extend deadline for Formula 1 & FIA Response
Massa wants Ferrari Support
Felipe Massa is dejected by the lack of support from Ferrari. He feels that Ferrari should be gunning for this lost title just as much as he is. He said, “To be honest, we spoke in the letters on the legal side, but I don’t see the point why Ferrari would not be on my side,” he said.
Felipe Massa continued, “Because we lost the championship, they took away the championship from us, from me and from Ferrari. When you hear Toto Wolff speaking about 2021, Ferrari needs to do the same.”
Felipe Massa thinks that Ferrari are waiting till the matter develops further. “Ferrari needs to fight for the best of the team and I don’t see really Ferrari away from the manipulation which happened to me.”
“For the moment, they didn’t really say, ‘Okay, we are together’. I think they are waiting to see what’s going to happen.”
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Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone has already backpedalled. He claims he never made any such comments. It will be interesting to see what happens next for Felipe Massa.
