Hamilton, as an honorary citizen of Brazil, should return his 2008 title to Massa

Season 2008 of Formula 1, Felipe Massa wins the Brazilian Grand Prix in front of his home crowd, but Hamilton, overtaking Timo Glock in the last corner, scores enough points to become the 2008 F1 World Champion with his McLaren. This is the first title for the British driver, celebrated with images showing Ferrari’s tears.

Singapore 2008, that same year Nelson Piquet crashes into the wall during the race, intentionally, for the benefit of his teammate Fernando Alonso who thus wins the race thanks to a safety car deployed at the right moment for the Renault driver.

The “crashgate” scandal came to light in August 2009, one year later, through the Brazilian media following statements from Nelson Piquet, who was fired from Renault. Renault was found guilty a few weeks later but was not disqualified from the race and officially still won the Singapore Grand Prix with Alonso. The blame was put on the team managers, with Symonds and Briatore being banned from Formula 1.

This decision of the court in 2009 is therefore without consequences on a sporting level. However, recent statements by Bernie Ecclestone have changed things in recent weeks. Bernie Ecclestone believes, in fact, that this victory should not have counted and that the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix should have been cancelled or that Renault should have been disqualified.

« At the time, there was a rule that stated the championship standings were untouchable after the FIA awards ceremony at the end of the year », explained Ecclestone during these revelations . « So, Hamilton received his trophy and everything was fine. Case closed. »

Massa asks Hamilton for help in reclaiming his title

Bernardo Viana, one of the lawyers handling the case for Massa, expects Lewis Hamilton to support this request. « He is an important ambassador of the sport and has always defended sporting integrity. He is an honorary Brazilian citizen and highly regarded by Brazilians, so I hope he will support us. We have absolutely nothing against Hamilton. »

Viana specified that Ferrari will not join Massa’s request to reclaim the title, according to Reuters. He also explained that the deadline given to the FIA and FOM to respond to their request has been extended until mid-October.

« They have asked for more time, and we are internally assessing whether we will grant it to them. They are still within the deadline we offered them, so we are awaiting their response. If this is not the case, if their response is not adequate, we will simply continue with the legal strategy we have implemented. »

Lewis Hamilton did not react to his comments.