Former Driver Massa Sues FIA, FOM and Ecclestone in a London Court over 2008 Formula 1 Title

Former Formula One driver Felipe Massa poses for a photo at his home in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP)

16:57-11 March 2024 AD ـ 03 Ramadan 1445 AH

Former Formula One driver Felipe Massa poses for a photo at his home in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP)

Former driver Felipe Massa said on Monday he had filed a lawsuit in a London court against auto racing's governing body FIA, series owner Formula One Management (FOM) and Bernie Ecclestone amid his attempt to claim the 2008 title.

The 42-year-old Brazilian added that he is seeking to receive an amount in damages that he did not disclose.

Massa, who has said since last year he is the “rightful” champion of 2008 due to the incident known as "Crashgate", was the runner-up to Lewis Hamilton.

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.

Massa’s decision comes after months of preparatory steps that included his lawyers asking auto racing bodies to reply to his public allegations of a breach of contract.

“I always said I was going to fight until the end,” Massa said in the statement. “Since the FIA and FOM decided not to do anything, we will seek to right this historical injustice in court. The matter is now for our lawyers and they are fully authorized to do whatever is necessary so justice in sport is served.”

His allegations relate to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, when Brazilian 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, giving a path for Hamilton to beat Massa to the drivers’ title.

Last year, former F1 boss Ecclestone said in an interview with website F1 Insider that he learned through the course of 2008 that Piquet Jr. had crashed deliberately. He added he chose not to investigate the incident until the season ended, when it was too late to change the standings.

Piquet Jr.’s crash came when Massa was in front in Singapore. A safety car was brought in, which squandered his lead and gave Alonso a clear advantage as he was the only driver who had already made a pit stop to refuel.

Massa went on to finish out of the points in 13th place after a calamitous pit stop, while Hamilton finished third in that race.

The FIA, FOM and Ecclestone have yet to comment on the decision made by Massa.

Massa said in an interview with The Associated Press in August that he had more evidence of wrongdoing to support his case. The Brazilian also said then that he was considering filing other cases related to the same incident in other countries.

Khaleeji 27 Trophy Presented to Saudi National Team

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

07:51-7 October 2026 AD ـ 26 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

07:51-7 October 2026 AD ـ 26 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Khaleeji 27 Trophy Presented to Saudi National Team

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, under whose patronage the tournament was held, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz presented the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) trophy to the Saudi national team on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates 2–0 in the final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, winning the Kingdom's fourth Gulf Cup title.

Also at the final were Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several princes and officials.

The minister of sport thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his patronage of the tournament. "We take pride in the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this tournament," he said in a press statement. "This gracious attention from the wise leadership reflects the esteemed status of the Arabian Gulf Cup and its deep-rooted sporting and historical value for our brothers in the Gulf countries, who are united by bonds of brotherhood."

He added: "I extend my sincere congratulations to our wise leadership on our national team's victory in this cherished championship, which holds great significance for us as Gulf citizens."

He commended the Saudi fans for their unwavering support throughout the campaign and praised all participating teams for their exemplary sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

He also thanked all the organizing bodies and committees, staff, and volunteers for their tremendous efforts from the preparatory stages to the tournament's conclusion.

“Their coordination, cooperation, and dedication contributed to the success of this edition and ensured the tournament was presented in a manner befitting the stature of the Gulf Cup and the value it holds for the people of the region."

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. The eight national teams played 15 matches at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.

Sports

Messi Ends Argentina Career with Goal, 2 Assists in Tear-filled Farewell

06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Asharq Al Awsat

06:51-7 October 2026 AD ـ 26 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

06:51-7 October 2026 AD ـ 26 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Messi Ends Argentina Career with Goal, 2 Assists in Tear-filled Farewell

Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi met the moment, contributing to all three goals in his final appearance for Argentina's national team, a 3-0 exhibition victory over Benin on Tuesday in Buenos Aires.

Emotions were high even before Messi, 39, took the field at Estadio Monumental, where a sold-out crowd chanted his name and sang to him through his 208th match representing his country in international competition.

Playing the full 90 minutes in the friendly, dubbed in Argentina as the "last tango," Messi notched his first assist on a corner kick that Nicolas Otamendi scored on a header in the 48th minute. Messi also passed to Nico Paz for the second goal.

Messi added a fitting score -- his 126th career goal for Argentina on a penalty kick in the 70th minute to set off collective chanting of the beloved icon's ⁠name and more tears.

"To ⁠not come here anymore is going to hurt a lot," Messi told the crowd after the match, per multiple reports. "I swear to you, if it were up to me, I would love to be here (playing) for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can ever happen to you."

Messi played for Argentina in a record-tying six World Cups, most ⁠recently in July when they lost in the final 1-0 to Spain. He was part of three finalists, including the champions in Qatar in 2022. He scored 21 goals in World Cup competition.

The team captain since 2011, Messi has the most goals and appearances for Argentina, which also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

Though he is not retiring -- he's under contract with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer through the 2028 season -- Messi made the decision to stop playing for the national team in August, saying, "The time has come."

Messi had to deal with the death of his father, Jorge, after an unspecified illness at age 68 on Aug. 8. ⁠Jorge Messi had ⁠served as his agent and managed his business affairs.

Family members attended Tuesday's match, including Lionel Messi's mother and wife from the stands. His sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro joined their father on the field for the pre-match national anthem, Reuters reported.

Lionel Messi, whose first appearance for Argentina was on Aug. 17, 2005, thanked fans and his teammates and paid tribute to his late father.

Messi told the crowd that he was proud to be Argentine and having achieved "the dream with all of you."

"Now, inevitably, I face the saddest day of my career: saying goodbye to the national team," he said in his address to the crowd on Tuesday. "Goodbye to all of you. I'm going to miss you; I'm going to miss defending the national team's colors, but now I'll be right there alongside you, supporting these guys and everyone who comes after them. Always, always united."

Sports

Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)

23:44-6 October 2026 AD ـ 25 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday.

Ivan Perisic put hosts Croatia ahead but substitute Merino equalized for Spain early in the second half.

Perisic was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for a second yellow card and Merino helped Spain capitalize with a fine finish to reach the last eight with two matches to spare.

"I'm very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench," Merino told TVE after helping Spain claim a fourth win from four matches in Group A3.

"I'll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more... but this team is a family and that always shows."

Spain went a 42nd consecutive game without suffering defeat and lead England by three points at the top of the group.

"The objective is to keep winning, we've gone 42 games without losing and we want to add more to that," said De la Fuente.

"This team makes me feel so proud, I'm so lucky to have these players."

Slaven Bilic's Croatia were crushed 7-0 by England on Saturday, in front of a crowd of children as home fans were banned for racism, and came out determined to make it up to their supporters in Split.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was called into action early on, saving well from Josip Stanisic's header, as Luka Modric's team impressed in the first half.

A few minutes later the hosts took the lead in Split with Simon saving from Igor Matanovic's shot but Perisic reacted quickest to head home the rebound.

"We started asleep, it took us a little while to match their tempo," Marc Cucurella told TVE.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Simon put Aymeric Laporte in a tough spot in his own box with a loose pass and Croatia intercepted and almost grabbed a second. However Simon saved from Freiburg striker Matanovic's effort.

- Spain battle back -

Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal raced through on goal early in the second half but he fell after nudging the ball past Barca team-mate and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Merino, on at the interval, pulled Spain level in the 61st minute with a low finish after Dani Olmo, who developed in Croatia as a youngster, fed him.

Croatia's task of holding on in the final stages became harder when Perisic brought down Cucurella and was dismissed.

Merino, so often making key impacts from the bench for Luis De la Fuente, including in the World Cup this summer, finished the job with his second of the night.

The former Real Sociedad man, with two minutes remaining, produced a superb turn and finish to blast past Livakovic.

"It's an honor to coach a player like that," said De la Fuente of Merino, who he called up for the World Cup right after he recovered from injury.

"He has made it absolutely clear why I would have carried him in my arms to the World Cup. In another country he would be more appreciated -- I hope that changes."

Spain next face the Czech Republic away from home and then face Thomas Tuchel's England again in Madrid.

"We look upwards, but with our feet on the ground," said Merino of Spain's ceiling.

"(We go) with humility -- there are days like today when the (unbeaten) streak can become complicated."

Former Driver Massa Sues FIA, FOM and Ecclestone in a London Court over 2008 Formula 1 Title

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