Massa: Domenicali relationship not compromised by F1 legal process

Massa wants to address the controversy that erupted after it emerged that Nelson Piquet had crashed deliberately at the 2008’s Singapore GP, a race that proved crucial in the final outcome that saw Lewis Hamilton win the title.

Domenicali was at Ferrari throughout Massa’s time with the team as a junior and race driver, latterly as team principal.

As the current head of F1, he is now on the other side of Massa’s legal claims and has to deal with events that took place in the Bernie Ecclestone era.

On his return to the paddock for the first time since his claims became public Massa said that he remains on good terms with his former team boss.

“Stefano is a big friend,” Massa told Autosport when asked about his relationship with Domenicali. “I always talk to him, apart from everything that happened, so there's nothing really to say about that.

He never changed the relationship or the behaviour with me, and he will never change.

"In the end, it’s the same company, with different people, also the FIA. But anyway, I really hope that the people that are now taking care of FIA or FOM are doing the right thing, for the justice of the sport, so what's happened in the past can never happen again."

Photo by: Sutton Images

Nelson Piquet Jr., Renault R28 crashes into the wall

Until the legal process started Massa was employed to attend races on F1’s behalf, but he skipped both the Italian and Japanese GPs, and is at Interlagos in a personal capacity.

"I'm not here as an ambassador of F1,” he said. “So Monza I was going as an ambassador of F1. And also Japan, and also here, and also Vegas. 

"But anyway, after everything that is happening, I was invited here. And I believe it was the correct thing to do. And I'm really happy to be here in the paddock.”

Massa said he was pleased to be back: “I mean, definitely this is my life, I'm always happy to be part of this world, in the paddock. And especially here in Brazil.

“So here is my place that I had all my dreams come true here in F1. And anyway, I'm happy to be here in the paddock and see some friends, and also to enjoy the event.

“And that's really the most important thing, for all the different teams, especially Ferrari, fans, at the end definitely I feel comfortable to be here. 

"And everything that I'm doing doesn't really change the friendship that I have with everyone here.”

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F2008, 1st position, is humble in defeat

Massa remains bullish about his prospects of a successful outcome.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be here,” he said. “I am not a lawyer. And I'm pretty much sure we have a good team working on that. But I believe in justice.

“And I think that's the most important thing. I was never happy for what's happening in Singapore, all the time, since 2009 when I knew [about the Piquet crash], until now.

“I always was really aggressive about what's happened in that race, which is not sport. 

"And especially after 15 years, we hear that people knew in 2008 and didn't do anything. So then it was what changed my mind to fight for justice."

Asked about the next step he said: “It's with them to answer the letter. And then after we'll see what's going to happen.”