Felipe Massa is celebrating \u201ca tremendous victory\u201d after it was ruled that his $82million lawsuit over his F1 2008 title defeat will proceed to trial.<\/p>\n
And he has revealed that he is \u201cmore confident than ever\u201d in a successful outcome in his fight for \u201cjustice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Felipe Massa \u2018more confident than ever\u2019 of victory in $82million<\/p>\n
Massa, the former Ferrari driver, attended a three-day pre-trial hearing in London last month as his legal case over the outcome of the 2008 world championship formally began.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian is taking legal proceedings against F1\u2019s commercial arm Formula One Management, governing body the FIA and former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone \u2013 all of whom deny the claims \u2013 over his defeat by one point to then-McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton in 2008.<\/p>\n
Massa\u2019s case centres around that year\u2019s controversial Singapore Grand Prix, in which Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crashed deliberately to help teammate Fernando Alonso to victory.<\/p>\n
The Ferrari driver was leading the race from pole position at the time of Piquet Jr\u2019s crash but eventually finished 13th, with the lost points proving costly in Massa\u2019s title battle with Hamilton.<\/p>\n
Massa\u2019s legal challenge was sparked after Mr Ecclestone told German publication F1 Insider<\/a> in 2023 that he and late FIA president Max Mosley were made aware of the true circumstances of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix during that season.<\/p>\n The 95-year-old, who insists that he does not remember the interview with F1 Insider, commented during the interview that F1\u2019s authorities opted against taking action at the time to protect the sport from \u201ca huge scandal.\u201d<\/p>\n Could Felipe Massa actually win $82million legal case?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0From Crashgate to courtroom: A deep dive into Felipe Massa\u2019s $82 million lawsuit<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Trouble in the pits: The 12 biggest pit-lane incidents in Formula 1 history<\/a><\/p>\n As reported by PlanetF1.com<\/a>, the High Court ruled on Thursday that Massa\u2019s case will continue in part.<\/p>\n Writing in his summary, judge Robert Jay noted that Massa\u2019s claims for inducement of breach of contract can continue, noting that Massa arguably did not know he could sue until Ecclestone\u2019s 2023 interview was published.<\/p>\n However, the judge rejected Massa\u2019s case that the FIA breached its duty to investigate and dismissed the 44-year-old\u2019s claim for a declaration that he should have won the title in 2008.<\/p>\n The ruling has ended Massa\u2019s slim hopes of being retrospectively crowned the 2008 world champion, with the judge noting that \u201cthe court cannot be asked to rewrite the outcome of the 2008 World Drivers\u2019 Championship.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement posted to social media, Massa \u2013 who is seeking\u00a0up to $82million (\u00a360m\/\u20ac68.7m) in damages \u2013 welcomed the ruling, revealing he is more \u201cconfident than ever\u201d of a successful outcome.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThis is a tremendous victory \u2013 a great day for me, for justice and for everyone who loves Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cThe court has seen the strength of my case and refused to let the defendants silence the truth about 2008. They did everything possible to stop this case, but our fight is for fairness and today we have won.<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth will prevail at trial. We will leave no stone unturned. I am more determined and confident than ever.<\/p>\n \u201cJustice will be done. For me, for the Brazilians, for the tifosi, for all motorsport fans, who deserve an honest sport, and for the future of Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank my outstanding legal team, my family and to God, who guided us and never let me lose my faith.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether we will see this through to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n