F1 News: F1 Faces Threat Of Disarray If Felipe Massa Wins 2008 Case - Toto Wolff

"If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray."

Felipe Massa has initiated legal proceedings against the FOM and the FIA for their verdict on the 2008 Championship involving a Crashgate scandal, thereby costing the driver to lose his championship trophy to Lewis Hamilton. However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes the case could put the sport into disarray.

The governing body was aware of the wrongdoing as per recent comments by F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone, which prompted Massa to take the legal route. The Brazilian driver feels a conspiracy prevented the Crashgate scandal from being investigated, leaving him to continue his career without justice. 

As of now, Massa's legal team awaits a response from the FIA and FOM for answers to several questions it asked them about the events that took place in 2008, before moving forward with the case. 

Wolff is closely monitoring the developments because a civil court success could serve as an example for action against the governing body over the 2021 controversial finale in Abu Dhabi. However, the Mercedes team boss is skeptical about Massa's success in seeking justice. He told Motorsport.com:

"I don't think he has a case, to be honest.

"We are signing up to sporting regulations. They're very clear, and you commit as a licence holder.

"If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray, and especially when you look at the full championships: there's so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don't see the case to be honest.

"On the civil case side, I don't know, let's evaluate whether there's some damages that could be claimed. I think reputation, they have a difficult position, what is it? But yeah, for me, this is like watching a telenovela, or soap opera playing out in front of me."

Massa on the other hand is of the opinion that Wolff's skepticism proves he is on the right track. When asked about his opinion of Wolff's and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's comments, who also believes that nothing much can be achieved from the case, Massa said:

"I think this just shows that we are on the right path and that people in F1 are realising the seriousness and importance of our case.

"As I've always said, I'm seeking justice, my childhood dream, a title for an entire nation, for Brazilians. And for the Tifosi too.

"This is entirely my and my family's fight, so we did everything we could to have the best professionals in the world on our side."

Massa also hopes that today's FIA and FOM are open to help him fight the case. He added:

"I hope today's FIA and FOM are different [from 2008].

"The two entities have the chance to prove this, repairing the mistakes of the past, for the good of the sport."