Massa agrees to FIA delay with hope ally will join lawsuit over 2008 F1 title

13 October 2023 , 07:57

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Felipe Massa is fighting for the 2008 title (Image: Getty Images)

Felipe Massa has told Formula 1 chiefs to finish their investigation into the 2008 world title "injustice" by November 15 - as the tense row continues.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won the first of his seven world titles in 2008 after finishing a point ahead of Ferrari's Massa. The latter never managed to win the Drivers' Championship before leaving F1 in 2017 and has since launched a lawsuit to overturn the 2008 result.

Massa believes he should be handed a world title due to the controversial Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008. Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car and allow team-mate Fernando Alonso to win and derail Massa's race.

If Massa's bid is successful, it would shine a light on 2021. Max Verstappen stopped Hamilton from claiming a record eighth world title when race director Michael Massi failed to apply the rules correctly during a late safety-car period at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Massa's lawyer Bernardo Viana has provided a statement to Mirror Sport. It reads: "FIA and FOM are completing an internal investigation and have requested one last extension to the deadline they initially asked for, from October 12th to November 15th.

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"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."

Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 world title (Getty Images)

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Massa hopes Ferrari will support his title bid. "I don’t see why Ferrari wouldn’t be on my side," the Brazilian recently told Motorsport. "Because we lost the championship, they took the championship away from us, from me and from Ferrari.

"When you hear (Mercedes chief) Toto Wolff talking about 2021, Ferrari would need to do the same. So, Ferrari needs to fight for the best of the team and I don't really see Ferrari far from manipulation, as happened to me."

Massa has confirmed Ferrari are yet to back their former driver, who insists: "I'm doing this for my country, I'm doing this for my fans, I'm doing this for myself, I'm doing this for my family, I'm doing this for Ferrari... if Ferrari wants to come, they are totally welcome."

Wolff was asked for his opinion on Massa's lawsuit last month. The Austrian said: "If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray and especially when you look at the full championships."

Tom Blow