Felipe Massa has an awkward encounter with Bernie Ecclestone as the cloud of $82M Lawsuit looms large during the F1 Brazilian GP

The hearing for Felipe Massa’s $82 million lawsuit against FIA, FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone took place just weeks before the 2025 Brazilian GP. The former Ferrari driver had an awkward encounter with former F1 Boss Ecclestone at this year's race at Interlagos amid the lawsuit.

Felipe Massa lost the 2008 F1 title by one point to Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian GP. However, the crashgate incident at the 2008 Singapore GP was revealed a year later, and had the results for that race been nullified, Massa would've been the champion.

Bernie Ecclestone came out a couple of years ago and reportedly gave a statement to a media publication about the FIA and Formula One Management knowing about the crashgate before the season ended. Felipe Massa took the same statement to file a lawsuit against the defendants.

The hearing for the lawsuit took place in the London High Court in late October as the Brazilian driver sought $82M in the lost sponsorships and earnings. The hearing has been completed with a decision pending.

Amid this pending decision, both Bernie Ecclestone and Felipe Massa attended the 2025 Brazilian GP and had an awkward encounter in the paddock. A video of the same was uploaded on Instagram, where Massa arguably went in for a side hug, but the same wasn't received well by the F1 Supremo. However, the two did acknowledge each other, followed by fans continuing to take pictures with Massa.

During the hearing, FIA, FOM, and Bernie Ecclestone's lawyers suggested that Massa lost the 2008 title due to his own mistakes at the Singapore GP. The Brazilian left his outbox with the fuel hose still attached to it and lost multiple positions because of it.

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Lewis Hamilton's reaction to Felipe Massa's $82M lawsuit

Lewis Hamilton arrived at the 2025 Brazilian GP, the home race for former F1 driver Felipe Massa, and was questioned about the ongoing lawsuit involving the crashgate incident on the press day. Hamilton distanced himself from the same, suggesting he was focused on racing.

“I don’t have a view on it. I’m not in touch with it at all, not reading about it. It’s nothing really to do with me, so I’m just trying to arrive at my weekends, and just focus on my job. And whatever the reasons that Felipe has, I’m sure he’s got the conviction within him, and that’s what he needs to do,” said Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock on the final lap at the 2008 Brazilian GP to take his first F1 title win. Following the three-day hearing, Mr Justice Jay at the London High Court said, “Judgment will be reserved to be handed down at a future date.”

Edited by Pranay Bhagi