2008 Formula 1 Vice-Champion Felipe Massa has confirmed that he won’t be attending this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, out of respect for his current legal battle against the sport and the FIA.
The Brazilian often attends his home race but has opted against it due to his pursuit of the 2008 Drivers’ Championship being altered.
Massa wants to see the results from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix cancelled, something which would make him World Champion and return Lewis Hamilton to being a six-time World Champion.
It was at the Marina Bay Circuit 15 years ago where ‘Crashgate’ took place, which is the reference given to Renault’s orders to Nelson Piquet Jr. to purposefully crash.
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Renault effectively manipulated the race to increase Fernando Alonso’s chances of winning, something he went onto achieve.
Massa had been leading the race when the accident happened but a stuck fuel hose in the pits saw him tumble down the order.
It wasn’t until the following year that Renault’s actions were confirmed, to which Massa asked whether the results could be cancelled.
As the FIA prize-giving gala had already taken place, the ex-F1 driver was told that nothing could happen.
However, with ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone having recently revealed that himself and ex-FIA president Max Mosley knew about ‘Crashgate’ when it happened, Massa is now taking legal action.
Ecclestone opted to say nothing to protect F1, with Massa believing that he deserves to be named as the 2008 World Champion.
The ongoing legal case has meant Massa has attended less races as of late, something he completely understands.
“The only thing I know is that F1 asked me not to go to the Monza race,” Massa told Motorsport.com. “I was also going to go to the Japan race [as ambassador] and I didn’t go.
“About Brazil, nothing was discussed, we haven’t had any contact since that moment before Monza until now, so…”
The former Ferrari driver not attending his home race perhaps shows just how serious the legal case is; however, he’s admitted that he’s not even been invited to attend by F1 as an ambassador.
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“I believe I won’t. I would [only] go to the races as an ambassador,” Massa admitted.
“But I 100% respect the [legal] situation that is happening at the moment, perhaps [to the point] of not going because of [all] that is happening.
“But there was no invitation and no conversation about my work as ambassador, so I don’t think I should participate.”