F1 News: Felipe Massa To Skip Brazilian Grand Prix Due To The Ongoing Legal Challenge
Former F1 driver Felipe Massa is set to skip the home Formula 1 race in Brazil this weekend at the Interlagos circuit due to the ongoing legal challenge over the 2008 championship title.
The former driver sought legal refuge to challenge the 2008 championship outcome as a result of a supposed conspiracy that caused him to lose the title to Lewis Hamilton.
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Courtesy of the 'Crashgate' scandal, Massa is of the opinion that the 2008 Singapore GP result should've been void. Doing so would cause Hamilton to lose the extra point that led him to win the title in the final race.
As of now, his lawyers await clarification from the FIA and the FOM. Consequently, Massa has planned to avoid being in the F1 paddock. He has also canceled his planned appearances at the Italian and Japanese Grand Prix.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, the former driver has said that F1 asked him not to go for the race in Monza and that he wouldn't visit a race venue unless he went as an ambassador. He said:
“The only thing I know is that F1 asked me not to go to the Monza race. I was also going to go to the Japan race [as ambassador] and I didn't go.
"About Brazil, nothing was discussed, we haven't had any contact since that moment before Monza until now, so..."
Asked if he would go for the race on his own, he added:
“I believe I won't. I would [only] go to the races as an ambassador.
"But I 100% respect the [legal] situation that is happening at the moment, perhaps [to the point] of not going because of [all] that is happening.
"But there was no invitation and no conversation about my work as ambassador, so I don't think I should participate.”
Speaking on several occasions, Massa stressed that the reason for his legal action was to reverse the outcome of the 2008 F1 world championship.
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