F1 news: Massa starts 2008 challenge as Verstappen opts for Hamilton in equal car

Thursday’s selection of F1 news made a big story as Felipe Massa officially launched his quest for compensation after his 2008 title race.

We’ll have more on that in just a second, along with the dilemma Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard faced as they were asked who would win in the same car between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

That and more will follow in today’s offering of F1 news.

Felipe Massa launches legal proceedings against FIA and FOM

After Bernie Ecclestone’s comments in April that Felipe Massa had been “cheated” out of the 2008 title after the ‘Crashgate’ scandal in Singapore cost him dearly – having driven the race, remember – he took a look at his legal options and, on Thursday , has reportedly submitted a Pre-Claim Letter notice to the FOM and FIA to initiate legal proceedings to seek compensation.

Massa’s lawyers wrote in the letter, first reported by Reuters, that he potentially lost “tens of millions of euros” through the additional credit of becoming World Champion, and claim that “simply put, Mr. Massa is the rightful 2008 The Driver’s Champion and F1 and the FIA ​​willfully ignored the misconduct that cheated him out of this title.”

F1 declined to comment when approached by PlanetF1.com and London-based lawyers for the FIA ​​and Massa have also been approached for comment.

Read more: Felipe Massa launches legal action after 2008 headline ‘conspiracy’ – report

Max Verstappen has said he will beat Lewis Hamilton in the same car

It’s an age-old question in Formula 1, who would win out of the best drivers with equal machinery, and with team dynamics being what they are, it’s very rare to happen, but it doesn’t hurt to have fun and have an opinion about it.

Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard both discussed this very topic on the latest edition of the Formula For Success podcast in response to a fan question about who would come out on top among the 2021 rivals, and after a discussion, both two backed Max Verstappen for Lewis Hamilton, due to the Red Bull driver being in a “sweet spot” in terms of age, speed and conditions.

There’s already been plenty of discussion in the comments section of this one, and while both said Hamilton is performing at an extremely high level given Verstappen’s form, Jordan believes “it’s going to take a bit of work to knock him down…”

Read more: Max Verstappen said he ‘has the lead’ over Lewis Hamilton in the same car

Ferrari offers a glimpse of how the 2024 car is coming

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the team’s 2024 car was still in the early planning stages, but the Scuderia was running as many simulations as possible to agree a direction for next season’s challenger.

The final wind tunnel runs for upgrades to the SF-23 are now complete, with only the signature upgrades to the car being installed later in the year as focus switches fully.

“We have to think differently, to find margins thanks to which the drivers can drive without always being at the limit,” Vasser told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “And in any case, the deadline for the new red is not the end of the year.

“We have to be ready for Bahrain in March. We still have many months ahead of us.”

Read more: Ferrari reveals state of play for 2024 challenger as it takes on ‘aggressive’ task

Future stars nominated for prestigious award

The shortlist for the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award was announced on Thursday morning, with 10 British drivers from the junior categories making the cut.

Previous winners include Jenson Button, Dario Franchitti, David Coulthard, Lando Norris and George Russell, so the young talent to win will join an illustrious group after a tough crunch time later in the year.

There’s still a long way to go before all 10 reach the final four later this season, but there are some names to keep an eye on going forward here.

Read more: F1 stars of the future confirmed as BRDC award nominees

When will Max Verstappen’s Hungarian GP trophy be decided?

It’s the burning question of the day, we know.

There’s been an update after Lando Norris accidentally smashed Hungarian Max Verstappen’s winner’s trophy, and those behind its construction say it’s well on its way to repair.

The trophy cost around $45,000 and took months to make, and there was understandably quite a local uproar when Norris smashed it with one of his trademark champagne bottles – but Verstappen will have to wait a little longer before he can get his hands on him again.

Read more: Latest update on Max Verstappen’s broken Hungarian Grand Prix trophy

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