Felipe Massa for long has been vying to get the 2008 World Championship in his name. Originally won by Lewis Hamilton after a dramatic climax, Massa believes he was robbed in that season and deserves to be named as the champion.
Earlier this year, he sued the FIA for the damages after he was allegedly denied the championship wrongfully. However that hasn’t come to fruition, and Massa continues his fight.
“Absolutely, yes! In my heart, for sure. After 2008, people have always said to me that the championship was mine,” said Massa after he was asked if he thinks of himself as the 2008 world champion.
Massa even claimed that several people within the FIA have supported this claim even though he is fighting a lawsuit against them. Massa even pointed out that he was denied lifting the championship in his own country.
“stop yapping about ad21 it was 3 years ago!”
meanwhile felipe massa: pic.twitter.com/ggCJrGAUdt
— sydney ️ another new layout (@lwcbwcispllll) November 13, 2024
While he might never get to feel what it is like to be a champion, he is yet fighting for it because of “Justice. The recognition as the official Formula 1 world champion of 2008 is something I have to fight for. And I will.”
Massa used to work with the current F1 CEO Stefano Domenciali in Ferrari back then. When asked whether he still has a good relationship with him, Massa affirms they still have.
Though, he recognized that Domenicali’s current role complicates things. But he hopes, “our relationship will never change and it wouldn’t be fair if others changed their approach to me because I stand up for my rights.”
Massa even asked for Hamilton’s support
Never once has Massa blamed Hamilton for losing the title in 2008. The only irregularity he finds is the Spygate that allegedly denied him winning the championship.
When the lawsuit was filed this year, Massa asked for Hamilton’s support in his quest for ‘justice’. However, the seven-time world champion paid no heed to the Brazilian’s request.
“If that’s the direction that Felipe wants to go, that’s his decision. I prefer not to focus on the past,” said Hamilton. Massa’s fight for his title has been more than a year-long, but no progress in his struggle has been seen. Massa once even pointed out the financial struggle of keeping up with the legal battle against the governing body.
