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Nelsinho Piquet: Why Formula 1 Title Controversy from 2008 Might Not Change Anything
In a recent interview, former Formula 1 driver Nelsinho Piquet expressed his belief that Felipe Massa is unlikely to be awarded the 2008 championship title, despite the Brazilian driver's claim. However, Piquet also acknowledges that Massa has the right to pursue the recognition of his victory.
"He has the right to do whatever he wants. I don't think they will change something from 15 years ago, let alone a championship won by Hamilton," Piquet said in an episode of the Pod Pai Pod Filho podcast.
"At most, I believe they could disqualify Renault from the race that Alonso won. What would happen then? Hamilton would win that race and ultimately extend his lead even further," he continued. The episode is set to air on (date) at 7 p.m. (Brasília time).
Massa took legal action in an attempt to be recognized as the champion of the season he competed for Ferrari, a move that would strip Lewis Hamilton of his first world title. The controversy gained traction earlier this year when former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone's comments reignited the scandal. Ecclestone stated that the F1 organizers knew that Nelsinho had deliberately crashed to help his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Nelsinho also criticized his former manager, Flavio Briatore: "Flavio was not a normal person to talk to. He is a guy who can't even speak properly, he's like a barking mammoth. Half the things he says aren't understandable, it's like he has something stuck in his throat. He knows nothing about motorsport; he's just an administrator."
The son of three-time Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet, Nelsinho is also the brother-in-law of Max Verstappen, who recently clinched his third F1 title.
The Controversy: Before and After Nelsinho's Accident in the Singapore Grand Prix
Prior to his accident, Massa held a comfortable lead in the race, with Hamilton in second place and Räikkönen in third. Nelsinho crashed into the wall on lap 14 of the 61-lap race and even apologized over the radio for his mistake.
The FIA deployed the safety car due to the debris scattered on the track from Nelsinho's crash. The top three drivers took advantage of the situation to make a pit stop for new tires and refueling?a practice permitted at that time.
Alonso took the lead and ultimately won the race. Coincidentally, he had made his pit stop just before Nelsinho's accident. Meanwhile, Ferrari made a costly mistake by releasing Massa from the pit lane with the fuel hose still attached to his car. As a result, Massa dropped to last place, despite the mechanics' efforts to remove the hose.
The Impact on the Championship Result
Between 2003 and 2009, the F1 scoring system only awarded points to the top eight drivers and distributed fewer points: 10 for the winner, 8 for second place, and 6 for third. Massa finished in 13th place in Singapore, failing to score any points, while Hamilton earned six points.
The championship was decided in the final race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Hamilton winning the title by a single point. Many attribute Massa's "tragedy" in Singapore as the key factor contributing to his defeat.
Post-Race: Who Was Penalized?
Nelsinho admitted that he intentionally crashed at the team's request, but only in the second half of 2009, a year after the Singapore race. He voluntarily made his statement to the FIA at the same time he was fired from Renault.
'Sacrifice' for the team.
The Brazilian driver revealed that team principal Flavio Briatore and engineering director Pat Symonds asked him to crash in order to cause a race interruption after Alonso made his pit stop.
Flavio Briatore was banned from Formula 1, having already been dismissed by Renault prior to his sentencing. Pat Symonds received a five-year ban. Both individuals successfully appealed the decision in 2010, but Briatore only returned to the paddock in 2022.
The Renault team was under close scrutiny for two years, with a possible banishment if they committed another serious offense. Nelsinho, on the other hand, received no punishment "due to his cooperation with the investigation."
Is Contesting the Result 15 Years Later Feasible?
Under FIA regulations, protests regarding race results can be filed with sports authorities up to four days before the award ceremony. Trophies for championships organized by the Federation, including other Formula categories, were presented at the end of 2008.
Ecclestone revealed that the organization intentionally delayed the investigation until 2009, anticipating such challenges. However, the legal framework of Formula 1 makes it challenging to pursue further appeals. The Court of Appeal of the International Court of Appeal has the highest authority over the sport and is bound by the FIA statutes.
In other words, even if Massa were to pursue legal action in other courts, they would not have jurisdiction over Formula 1. At most, this could lead to unofficial recognition.
This legal structure could be one reason why Mercedes decided against appealing in 2021 when the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix resulted in Max Verstappen winning the championship.
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