The Brazilian driver has begun a legal process to judge overturning the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which was gained by Fernando Alonso after his Renault team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr. intentionally crashed.
Massa misplaced worthwhile floor within the title chase to primary rival Lewis Hamilton that day, after struggling an issue at a refuelling cease, and if the occasion is said null and void, he would develop into champion.
As each FOM and the FIA work on submitting authorized responses over the matter, Ben Sulayem mentioned just lately that he had mentioned the matter with Massa to point that motor racing’s governing physique would defend its nook.
Chatting with Reuters, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “I answered him saying ‘It is as much as you, you do what you suppose is best for you, however the FIA should defend themselves.
“Now we have our guidelines, we’ve our sporting guidelines, and our statutes, which say a sure interval after that you could’t [do anything]… however folks can problem that. It is not the guide of God.”
Picture by: Jake Grant / Motorsport Images
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President
However Massa has questioned that model of occasions, as he insists that he has by no means talked to Ben Sulayem in regards to the matter and bought no response when he messaged to say he was open for discussions.
Requested for his ideas on Ben Sulayem’s claims, Massa advised Autosport: “I used to be a little bit stunned, as a result of we did not have this dialog with him. We by no means talked in regards to the case.
“Ultimately, I did not have a dialog with him. I despatched a message explaining the case and saying that I used to be out there for us to speak, however he by no means responded to me. We by no means had that dialog.
“I hope and consider that the FIA has to defend the game. But it surely’s not [about] defending itself, however defending what’s honest and what’s proper for sport usually. I feel that is the primary level.”
Pushed on Ben Sulayem’s comment in regards to the FIA statutes not being the ‘guide of God’, Massa replied: “In reality, our legal professionals know this, that is all I’ve to say.”
Massa hoped that new regimes at each the FIA and FOM can be open to proper errors that he thinks have been made by their organisations previously – reasonably than nonetheless attempting to defend what occurred.
“We perceive that they’re the identical firms, however they’re totally different folks in comparison with these of the time,” added Massa.
“I hope the folks at the moment present that issues are totally different, so I hope that the people who find themselves in cost at the moment, each within the FIA and FOM, see that one of these scenario is unacceptable and that they cannot flip their backs on a case like this. I actually hope they clear it up.”
Sharing title with Hamilton
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, celebrates third place within the dash race, with Felipe Massa
Massa and his authorized group are crystal clear that they need the 2008 world championship title overturned.
Such a state of affairs, which might take away Hamilton’s maiden crown, appears unlikely. Nevertheless, there have been ideas that one consequence may very well be a sharing of the title.
Massa mentioned he was not contemplating any potential finish recreation past achieved what he thinks is justice for what occurred within the 2008 Singapore GP being manipulated.
“I feel a very powerful factor is for us to have justice achieved in the proper manner,” he mentioned. “The proper factor, the work [of my lawyers], is cancel the race [Singapore].
“I perceive that we’re 15 years after it, however justice needs to be achieved the proper manner and that’s what we’ll combat for.
“If justice is finished and we predict that that is actually the proper factor to do [sharing the title with Hamilton], particularly as a result of [sharing of championships] occurred in different sports activities, it’s one thing to be analysed. However we’re going after justice and after the trophy, that is the primary level.”
Massa mentioned that he had had no contact with Hamilton over the scenario.
“I’ve by no means spoken to Hamilton [about this] and, in reality, I see that individuals are very afraid to touch upon the case,” he mentioned. “However I’ve a variety of help, to be sincere, from lots of people who can’t communicate, and rather a lot help from folks on the road, from my nation, from different nations too.”
Abu Dhabi 2021 comparisons
The potential problem over the 2008 world championship has prompted latest discussions about whether or not or not a profitable consequence may open the door for Mercedes to problem the FIA over what occurred when it mishandled the security automobile restart on the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and price Hamilton the title.
Massa doesn’t see such a robust hyperlink between the 2 {cases} although, as a result of he says one was a intentionally conspiracy whereas the opposite was a mistake.
“One factor is a manipulation of the game and one other factor is an error, proper?,” mentioned Massa.
“It is sort of a [football] referee doing one thing silly. They’re two utterly various things, my case in 2008 and the case in 2021.”