Felipe Masses Hopes For The Right Decision Regarding F1 2008 Racing

Former Brazilian Ferrari racer, Felipe Massa, awaits FAI's decision. (photo: twitter @BAH_Int_Cirweet)

JAKARTA - Formula One and the FIA regulator will not be given further extension of the deadline to respond to threats of legal action related to the 2008 season world championship. This was said by former Brazilian Ferrari racer Felipe Massa told Reuters on Thursday, November 2.

In an interview ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, the Mass said he hoped to hear a response from both sides on November 15 and hoped their answer would be "what we think is the right thing".

The masses claimed there was a "conspiracy" that they had failed to win the 2008 world title.

The first deadline in mid-October has been set in response to a Letter of Pre-Demand on August 15, but the FIA and F1 requested an extension until November 15 to complete an internal investigation, according to the Massa's attorney. This time is the second extension given by his legal team.

"We are waiting for their response to see if this case should be brought to justice," said Massa, who is now 42 years old. "Plogically, there will be no more requests, from now on there will be no more things like 'give us one more month'. It will be a limit and a decision must be made."

In 2008, British racer Lewis Hamilton won the title, which was his first of seven titles, with a one-point difference in a season that rose to prominence after racer Renault Nelson Piquet Jr. revealed in 2009 that he had been ordered to intentionally crash at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The masses, who retired in 2017, were taking the lead in Singapore when their Brazilian counterpart Piquet hit the wall on lap 14 of the 61 lap race, which then triggered a safety car period.

The masses have now stated that the race should have been canceled because the sports leaders reportedly knew before the end of the season what had happened but hid it.

Two key figures from that time, former FIA racing director Charlie Whiting and former FIA president Max Mosley, have died. Former F1 ruler Bernie Eccelstone is now 93 years old.

The masses said the fact that the FIA and Formula One had requested extensions of the deadline many times indicated that they were taking their actions seriously.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who took office at the end of 2021, told Reuters last month that the Mass had contacted and he allowed the matter to the FIA legal team.

"I answered by saying 'It's up to you, do what you think is right for you, but the FIA has to protect themselves'," Sulayem said.

The mob confirmed that he was sending a message, but said he had never heard of a reply from Ben Sulayem. "I think the FIA should protect the sport, not protect themselves. The right thing for them to do is think about sports protection, which didn't happen 15 years ago," he added.

The crowd still hopes Ferrari will support it. "I know a lot of people in Ferrari - all the mechanics, engineers and fans are on my side," he said. "There's no reason for Ferrari not to be on my side either. Right now that support hasn't happened but I really believe and hope I will."