Massa is suing Formula One Management Ltd., the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive, for breach of contract. He alleges that they broke the sport’s rules by failing to promptly investigate Crashgate.
Former driver Massa Sues F1 Bodies : The Role of Renault
He claims that Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr., a fellow Brazilian, intentionally crashed his car around a quarter of the way into the Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso. The crash led to a safety car being deployed during which a botched Ferrari pit stop caused Massa to fall from race leader to last place.
Alonso moved as a result from last place to fifth, and Hamilton — who went on to win the championship a joint-record seven times — dropped from second to eighth, the claim says.
Investigation and Aftermath
Allegations that the crash might have been deliberate surfaced two months later when the father of Piquet Jr. told FIA race director Charlie Whiting that his son had crashed on purpose and was told to do so by members of the Renault F1 team, according to the claim.
