Overview
- Justice Robert Jay ruled Felipe Massa has a real prospect of success on unlawful means conspiracy and inducement claims, allowing those to proceed to a full trial with no date set.
- The judge dismissed requests for declaratory relief and said the court cannot rewrite the 2008 drivers’ championship, also finding the FIA did not owe Massa duties he claimed.
- Several claims against the FIA were narrowed or struck on limitation and jurisdiction grounds, with elements governed by French law and a standalone breach claim dismissed.
- Massa seeks about £64m in damages, arguing a 2023 interview attributed to Bernie Ecclestone supplied essential facts that revived his case beyond time limits.
- The case stems from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix ‘Crashgate’—Nelson Piquet Jr’s deliberate crash that compromised Massa’s race—and could now lead to disclosure of internal emails and documents, though the judge cautioned there are obstacles on causation.