Felipe Massa's court case over the 2008 Formula 1 world championship is to begin today in London's Royal Courts of Justice.
The Brazilian is seeking to be recognised as the rightful 2008 champion, around £64 million in lost earnings (plus interest), his status as world champion would have earned and wants a statement from the FIA admitting it broke its own regulations by not immediately investigating allegations of race-fixing against Nelson Piquet Jr in the 2008 Singapore GP.
Massa is not seeking to have Lewis Hamilton stripped of his 2008 title, something it is doubtful the High Court can order.
In 2023, Ecclestone claimed in an interview with F1 Insider that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley became aware of Piquet deliberately crashing during the 2008 season, but decided to cover it up to protect F1 and prevent a "a huge scandal."
This admission from Ecclestone prompted Massa to begin legal proceedings against Ecclestone himself, F1 and, the FIA.
The case was then filed in London's Royal Courts of Justice on March 12th, 2024.
Massa has secured the services of a leading sports barrister, Nick de Marco KC - the man responsible for recently grilling McLaren CEO Zak Brown in the ongoing case between McLaren Indy LLC and Alex Palou for a breach of contract.
de Marco has overseen a number of trials, especially in football, including acting for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lucas Paqueta, and Benjamin Mendy, whilst also covering cases in gymnastics, boxing, and cricket.
The case is to be heard by Mr Justice Jay, who has been on the High Court since 2013, and previously worked on the Leveson Inquiry into press standards in the UK in 2011.
Massa is set to be represented by the Debevoise & Plimpton LLP law firm, whilst Formula One Management (FOM) is to be represented by K&L Gates.
Ecclestone, who turned 95 yesterday - is set to be represented by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, whilst the FIA has arranged to be represented by Horwich Farrelly Limited.
Ecclestone was removed from his position as F1 CEO by Liberty Media after it agreed a takeover deal with CVC Capital Partners, formally departing in January 2017, and has no input into the running of F1 today.
In terms of the FIA, both the then president Mosley and then race director and safety delegate Charlie Whiting, who was Nelson Piquet Sr's mechanic at Brabham, under Ecclestone, in the 1980s, have both since died.
Only Herbie Blash, another former Brabham mechanic, who served as Whiting's deputy, remains alive of the senior team from 2008.
The initial proceedings are only set to take place throughout the remainder of this week - with RacingNews365 set to be in court every day.
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