Ecclestone: Massa lawsuit the complete right thing to do

Massa lost out on the F1 Drivers' Title in 2008 by one point to Lewis Hamilton who by overtaking Timo Glock for fifth at the 2008 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, scored enough points to beat the Brazilian by one.

Massa won that race, but it was the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix that compromised his chances to secure what would have been his one and only F1 Title, following what is now known as the "crashgate"

Massa was leading that race when compatriot Nelson Piquet Jr crashed his Renault, bringing out the Safety Car, after which a botched pit stop by Ferrari meant that Fernando Alonso won the race and not Massa.

Piquet, after being fired from Renault, revealed in 2009 that he was instructed to crash by his boss Flavio Briatore, who was banned from the sport as a consequence.

Ecclestone revealed back in 2023 that Massa was "deprived of the title he deserved" and claiming they - he and then FIA President Max Mosley - knew about the team orders but "enough information at that time to investigate the matter" and take the proper action.

Massa highlighted Eccleston's comments as the trigger behind the legal process he initiated, and which has been ongoing for almost a year now, and which ended in the lawsuit after attempts to resolve the matter with F1 and FIA did not reach any conclusions - according to the former Ferrari and Williams driver, and his lawyers.

Ecclestone broke his silence over the new of the lawsuit, and told PA Media: "If he [Massa] had asked me, I would have said it was the complete right thing to do, to sue, and to let an English judge decide what is right and wrong.

"I cannot say anything about the outcome and what will happen," he added. "I have not got a clue, I don’t think anyone has, but from his point of view, it is better that an English judge comes up with a verdict. It will be of more help for him."

Speaking to Reuters, Ecclestone added: "The best thing he could do is sue in England. He wants something straightforward so it will be straightforward. No axe to grind from anybody. So we´ll wait and see.

"It might help him if an English judge comes out and says something that´s in his favour, it would be good for him," the 93-year-old concluded.