In a recent development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Felipe Massa’s quest to claim the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, Helmut Marko, a prominent advisor to Red Bull, has shared his insights into the contentious issues surrounding the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Marko’s remarks come at a crucial juncture as Massa challenges the outcome of the race that saw Lewis Hamilton securing his inaugural championship victory.
Felipe Massa, who narrowly missed out on clinching the 2008 championship, has initiated legal proceedings in the UK High Court, contesting the result of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. This particular race, infamous for the ‘Crashgate’ scandal involving Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr., played a pivotal role in determining the championship’s ultimate outcome.
Speaking exclusively to Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung, Helmut Marko delved into the events of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. He raised questions about the suspicious timing of Fernando Alonso’s pit stop during the race, stating, “Even the choice of lap for the stop was suspect.” Alonso, who was driving for Renault, remarkably benefited from Piquet’s premeditated crash, which conveniently coincided with the deployment of the Safety Car.
Marko further elaborated, “Afterward, it was an open secret. I just wondered why it took so long for this affair to be uncovered.” Despite the conspiracy to manipulate the race outcome becoming public knowledge in 2009, following Renault’s dismissal of Piquet, it was only earlier this year that former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone revealed that both the FIA and FOM had prior knowledge of Renault’s actions before the conclusion of the 2008 season.
Recognizing the potential ramifications of these newfound revelations on Massa’s legal challenge, Marko stated, “If there are new facts, the matter can be reopened. And then the chances for Massa are not so bad. The only question is, where would we end up if we had to re-evaluate many other races where there have also been incidents?”
Marko’s comments add an intriguing dimension to the ongoing legal saga, shedding light on the uncertainties and controversies that continue to surround the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship. As the legal battle unfolds, the motorsport community watches with bated breath to see if new evidence will reshape the history of this iconic racing season.