F1’s ‘Crashgate’ scandal returns as Felipe Massa seeks justice for a lost title

Stay informed on all the biggest stories in Formula One. One of Formula One’s most infamous scandals, “Crashgate,” is back in the headlines after Felipe Massa and his lawyers made a push for justice and understanding this week. In March 2023, Ecclestone was quoted in a story by F1-insider.com saying that he and Mosley “were informed during the 2008 season of what had happened in the race in Singapore.” Ecclestone went on to explain how Piquet Jr. told his father about the team asking him to crash the car, but at the time, the driver “was worried about his contract extension.” Per the article, Ecclestone said he and Mosley opted to save the sport from a scandal. In a recent call with Reuters, Ecclestone said he doesn’t remember the quotes or “giving the interview.” What Massa’s team claims The Letter Before Claim says Massa is “the victim of a conspiracy committed by individuals at the highest level of F1,” which cost him“substantial financial loss” that Massa estimates to “exceed tens of millions of euros”as well as “serious moral and reputational losses.” The claims include breach of contract, inducing breach of contract and conspiracy. Unless a “satisfactory response” is given, Massa “intends to pursue legal action in order to seek compensation for the harm he has suffered as well as recognition that, but for those unlawful acts, he would have been awarded the 2008 Championship.” The Letter Before Claim outlines two requirements for the FIA and Formula One Management’s response: They needed to acknowledge that they received the letter within 24 hours and a “substantive reply” needs to be made in 14 days of the letter’s date.