Legal proceedings over the 2008 Formula 1 “Crashgate” scandal are currently taking place at the High Court in London, where Felipe Massa is seeking compensation, claiming the controversy cost him the world title.

The former Ferrari driver lost the 2008 Championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point after the infamous Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to help his teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.

Massa argues that Formula 1 Management, the FIA, and former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone knew about the incident but failed to act at the time. According to Massa’s legal team, a proper investigation in 2008 could have led to the race result being changed or cancelled — and therefore given him the title.

The Brazilian, who raced in F1 between 2002 and 2017, is seeking £64 million in damages. His case is being handled by barrister Nick De Marco KC and the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton.

Ecclestone has rejected Massa’s claims, insisting that it is impossible to rewrite the result of a race from more than a decade ago. He is represented by Herbert Smith Freehills, while F1 has legal counsel from K&L Gates and the FIA from Horwich Farrelly.

The hearing began on Tuesday, with Mr Justice Jay presiding over the case. The court will spend three days considering whether Massa’s lawsuit has a realistic chance of success after the defendants requested that it be dismissed.