Major development in the $82M lawsuit as Felipe Massa triumphs over FIA, FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone: Reports

Felipe Massa's lawsuit against the FIA, FOM, and the former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has now witnessed a major development. After the initial hearings, the London High Court has dismissed the attempts of the defendants to dismiss the case first hand and has given the green light for the trial to go through.

The former Brazilian F1 driver is suing FIA, Formula One Management, and Ecclestone for not nullifying the result of the 2008 Singapore GP, despite knowing about the crashgate scandal. While the talks about such a lawsuit were in the pipeline for years, the 44-year-old went all in after formally filing a lawsuit in the London High Court earlier this year.

Subsequently, the initial court hearings from both the plaintiff and the defendants took place in the tail end of October, where the defendants had put up their arguments to dismiss the lawsuit in the first place.

However, unfortunately for the FIA, FOM, and Ecclestone, Judge Robert Jay rejected this attempt, allowing the case to proceed to a full trial.

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Felipe Massa reflects on the court's judgment

Former F1 driver Felipe Massa at the 2025 F1 Grand Prix of Brazil race weekend - Source: Getty

While it is clear that the 2008 championship standings can't be rewritten to name Felipe Massa as the drivers' champion, he can still argue to get monetary compensation. This is the reason that the 44-year-old had filed an $82 million lawsuit against the three parties.

Moreover, with the London High Court dismissing the defendants' attempts at adjourning the case and allowing the case to go into a full trial, Massa was exhilarated and said (via Motorsport.com):

"This is an exceptional victory—an important day for me, for justice, and for everyone passionate about Formula 1. The court recognized the strength of our case and did not allow the defendants to suppress the truth about 2008. The deliberate crash cost me a world title, and the authorities at the time chose to cover up the facts instead of defending the integrity of the sport."

"The truth will come out during the trial. We will thoroughly investigate everything. Every document, every communication, every piece of evidence that proves the conspiracy between the defendants will be presented. I am more determined and confident than ever. When the full truth comes out, justice will be done—for me, for the Brazilians, for the tifosi, for all motorsport fans who deserve fair sport, and for the future of Formula 1."

Felipe Massa made his debut in F1 in 2002 and raced in the championship until 2017. He drove for Sauber, Ferrari, and Williams in his time in F1, and scored 11 race victories before bidding adieu to the sport.