Felipe Massa recently picked his top 3 drivers in F1 history. However, on his top three list, he did not include Lewis Hamilton, who is widely regarded as one of the best F1 drivers of all time. This not only surprised F1 fans, but also upset some.
In a recent video shared by RBR Daily on X, Massa identified Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Max Verstappen as his top three favorite drivers in the history of Formula 1. His selection of Senna, a fellow Brazilian and three-time F1 champion, is justifiable given the unparalleled legacy left by the late driver. Schumacher, regarded by some fans as the greatest F1 driver ever, boasts an impressive record of seven world titles and 155 podium finishes. Additionally, Verstappen, the Red Bull ace and a three-time world champion, also secured a place on Massa’s list.
Some fans expressed surprise at Massa’s omission of Lewis Hamilton from his selections. The British driver holds the record for the most Grand Prix victories, with 105 wins and 201 podiums, surpassing all other competitors in F1 history. Consequently, fans have raised questions regarding Massa’s choices, linking them to the longstanding rivalry between the Brazilian and Hamilton, which originated during the 2008 F1 championship. Earlier this year, Massa even initiated legal action against the FIA and F1, asserting that he should have been declared the 2008 champion.
Below are some of the reactions to Massa’s top three F1 drivers pick:
A fan wrote, “He was never going to give Lewis his flowers was he.”
“Mad that Brazil love Lewis more than him,” another fan wrote pointing out Hamilton’s popularity in Brazil.
Another fan posted, “Nothing to do with the 2008 championship.”
“Bro got stuck in the past,” wrote a fan, claiming that Massa has yet to forget what happened in 2008.
Another fan posted, “Is this oke still contesting the 2008 results??
“I completely forgot to ask, how’s your court battle for the 2008 title going champ?!” another fan wrote targeting Massa’s lawsuit against F1.
Felipe Massa has initiated legal proceedings against Formula 1 concerning the 2008 championship, which was ultimately secured by Lewis Hamilton. In his lawsuit, Massa expressed his conviction that the title for that year rightfully belonged to him.
Nevertheless, the former Ferrari driver clarified that his legal action is directed not at Hamilton, but at Formula 1 for its failure to promptly address the involvement of Renault in the Crashgate scandal.
“I hold no animosity towards Hamilton. This dispute centers on a race that was manipulated,” Massa stated. “That world championship was rightfully ours, yet it was taken from us through deceit.”
During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Renault instructed Nelson Piquet Jr. to intentionally crash into the wall, thereby facilitating a victory for Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton concluded the race in third place, while Massa finished in thirteenth, resulting in Hamilton winning the championship by a mere point.