New chapter in Massa's soap opera: Brazilian likely to skip Interlagos

Felipe Massa will most likely be absent from the Brazilian Grand Prix. As a former Formula 1 driver from Sao Paulo, it would seem logical to attend the race as he has done in previous years. But a visit in 2023 does not seem likely which has everything to do with the row surrounding the 2008 world title.

Massa claims to be entitled to that year's world title. Why? Because of Nelson Piquet Jr's deliberate crash at the Singapore Grand Prix. Bernie Ecclestone, who was Formula 1's boss in 2008, said in early March that he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew about the crashgate scandal before but deliberately did nothing about it at the time. Had the race been declared null and void, Massa would have scored more points than Hamilton across the season.

Brazilian GP

Earlier, Massa's plan this year was to attend the races in Italy and Japan as ambassador, but a line was drawn through that. Formula 1 preferred Massa not to come to Monza, and for his own reasons, he then skipped Japan as well.

"About Brazil, nothing was discussed, we haven't had any contact since that moment before Monza until now," Massa told Motorsport.com. Whether he would go to the race on his own? "I believe I won't. I would [only] go to the races as an ambassador. But I 100% respect the [legal] situation that is happening at the moment, perhaps [to the point] of not going because of [all] that is happening. But there was no invitation and no conversation about my work as ambassador, so I don't think I should participate.”

Massa is still threatening a lawsuit. Whether there will actually be one is not clear. However, the 2008 vice-world champion's lawyers are busy sorting things out and making preparations.