Former driver Massa says he’s suing F1 and FIA

Former driver Felipe Massa said he’s filed a lawsuit in London against auto racing governing body the FIA, series owner Formula One Management and Bernie Ecclestone to try and claim the 2008 title.

Massa added he was also seeking a minimum of $82 million in damages, a document obtained by The Associated Press showed. That amount included prize money he lost and other potential deals he would have obtained as a F1 champion.

Massa has claimed since last year he was the “rightful” 2008 champion due to the incident known as “Crashgate.” The 42-year-old Brazilian, who never won the drivers’ championship, was runner-up to Lewis Hamilton by one point.

Former Ferrari and Williams driver Massa said in a statement his case would be heard at the King’s Bench Division of the High Court.

“I always said I was going to fight until the end,” Massa said in the statement.

His allegations relate to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed deliberately to help then-Renault teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.

The Renault team was eventually punished but the results stood in the 15th race of 18 that year. Massa never got closer to the title. MDT/AP