Ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa completed a complete U-turn on attending the Brazilian Grand Prix, after being spotted in the Interlagos paddock.
Given his current legal action against the FIA and F1, Massa had admitted ahead of the Grand Prix that it was extremely unlikely he’d attend, as he hadn’t been invited.
The Brazilian clearly had a change of heart, though, as he was amongst the action.
Massa was seen both in the paddock during the weekend and on the grid ahead of the race, with him having, unsurprisingly, received questions regarding his surprise presence.
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With him being Brazilian and having won his home race in 2006 and in 2008, he admitted that he “couldn’t avoid” attending the event.
“I couldn’t avoid coming here at all. This is my place,” Massa said to Sky Deutschland and DPA news agency.
It was expected that Massa wouldn’t attend due to him still waiting for a response from the governing body and the FOM regarding his legal action, with the FIA having until mid-November to complete an internal investigation into the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
If the deadline – which has already been extended twice – isn’t met, then the case will be going to court.
Massa is demanding that the results from the 2008 Singapore GP are cancelled, something which as a result will make him the 2008 World Champion.
Should the ex-Ferrari driver be successful, then Lewis Hamilton will lose his maiden title and drop to being a six-time World Champion.
The Brazilian is demanding that the results of the 2008 Singapore GP are cancelled given that they were manipulated by Renault, with that being where the ‘Crashgate’ incident unfolded.
Renault ordered Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash, something which ultimately resulted in Fernando Alonso winning the race.
‘Crashgate’ wasn’t announced to the world until 2009, by at which point Massa was told that it was too late for the results to be changed.
However, F1 CEO at the time Bernie Ecclestone revealed earlier this year that himself and ex-FIA president Max Mosley knew about Renault’s cheating when it happened but said nothing to protect the sport.
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It’s Ecclestone’s comments which have effectively led to Massa taking legal action and hiring a team of lawyers.
“I am fighting for justice in sport,” Massa insisted.
“We are waiting for the FIA and FOM to answer the (lawyer’s) letter.”