Felipe Massa's lawsuit against Bernie Ecclestone, F1 and the FIA has begun, and the Brazilian is seeking to be recognised as the rightful F1 drivers' champion from 2008, amongst other things.
Whilst the 11-time grand prix winner is not attempting to have Lewis Hamilton stripped of his first of seven titles, it would be a significant moment in F1 history if Massa does succeed in his aims.
The former Sauber, Ferrari and Williams driver never got the opportunity to fight for the crown again. The effect of the scary injury he sustained in Hungary in 2009 cost him some of his natural pace.
He did not win another grand prix, having last crossed the line first in the season-ending round at Interlagos the year prior, where Hamilton famously pulled off a last corner overtake on Timo Glock to win the title.
The basis of his case stems from Ecclestone, who used to be CEO of F1, claiming he and the FIA president, Max Mosley, had become aware of what became the crashgate scandal before the end of the 2008 campaign.
Had the round at the Marina Bay Street Circuit been voided, Massa would have been champion that year, not Hamilton.
The Briton finished third at the Singapore Grand Prix, earning six points, whilst the Ferrari driver failed to score points after the team realised him with his fuel hose still attached, which occurred when he pitted under safety car conditions.
Hamilton won the championship by just one point from Massa, making that race a critical moment in the title fight.
The 44-year-old is also seeking damages of around £64 million (plus interest) in lost earnings he believes he would have made as an F1 champion — and for the FIA to admit it broke its own regulations by not immediately investigating the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix when it became aware that Fernando Alonso only won because Renault team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed.
Do you believe Felipe Massa should not be recognised as the rightful champion of the 2008 F1 season? Let us know in the comment section and by voting below in the latest poll by RacingNews365!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!