Felipe Massa has initiated legal action against the FIA, Formula 1, and Bernie Ecclestone regarding the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, known as the Crashgate scandal. Ecclestone expressed support for Massa's lawsuit, suggesting it be settled by an English judge. Massa seeks $82 million in damages, claiming the FIA's failure to investigate promptly led to financial loss and a missed championship. Ecclestone admitted awareness of the deliberate crash by Nelson Piquet Jr in 2008 but did not investigate until later, contributing to the ongoing controversy.
Click here to read the full article by Connor McDonagh (crash.net)
Felipe Massa believes he was unjustly denied the 2008 F1 world title due to the 'Crashgate' scandal in Singapore. He's now pursuing legal action against the FIA, Formula One Management, and Bernie Ecclestone, alleging their failure to annul the race results. Despite finishing first in Brazil, Massa lost the championship to Lewis Hamilton, who gained crucial points after the safety car incident in Singapore. The revelation of the truth in 2009, including Briatore and Symonds' involvement, prompted Massa's pursuit of justice. However, even with evidence, court intervention might not alter the FIA's decision to uphold the race result, potentially setting a precedent for retrospective sporting disputes.
Click here to read the full article by Kevin Garside (inews.co.uk)
Alpine Formula 1 reserve driver Jack Doohan will participate in a special event during the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his father Mick Doohan's first Motorcycling World Championship title. Jack will drive the 2000 Benetton B200, while Mick will ride a production MotoGP Honda RCV213, marking their first time sharing a track together. Three demo runs are scheduled during the race weekend, with Jack expressing excitement about the opportunity and his ambition to compete in Formula 1 in the future, which Mick fully supports. Both father and son look forward to showcasing their skills in front of Australian fans.
Click here to read the full article by Fergal Walsh (racingnews365.com)
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu believes Kevin Magnussen should have returned the position he gained off-track to Yuki Tsunoda in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, acknowledging that it would have been the correct sportsmanlike action. Red Bull Racing expressed frustration with Magnussen's decision not only to accept a 10-second penalty for the off-track pass but also to deliberately slow down, impeding Tsunoda to aid his teammate Nico Hulkenberg's race position. Racing director Alan Permane criticized Magnussen's actions as unsportsmanlike and stated that such behavior would be discussed with the FIA for future races. Despite Komatsu admitting Magnussen should have given back the position, he still believes Hulkenberg could have secured the tenth position, reinforcing the competitive nature of the midfield battle in Formula 1.
Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)
Jose Mourinho, who recently left his role as Roma manager, took some time off in the Middle East. He started by watching Anthony Joshua knock out Francis Ngannou, then headed to the Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah. Mourinho revealed he's a Formula One fan but hasn't had much time to follow it due to his coaching duties.
