F1 2023 news LIVE: Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title in the spotlight after incredible turn of events and Ferrari reaction

Felipe Massa, the former Formula 1 driver, has revealed he is considering pursuing legal options to reverse the result of the 2008 World Championship, which was won by Lewis Hamilton by a single point. Massa, who missed out despite leading for the majority of the season, argued that revelations about the notorious ‘Crashgate’ scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008, made by former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, had strengthened his case. Massa stated that he intends to “study what the laws say and the rules. We have to have an idea of what is possible to do”.

Despite a hugely entertaining and chaotic Australian Grand Prix that saw three red flags thrown and fans breaching security to climb onto the track, there were few surprises in the driver and constructor standings afterwards. Red Bull remain the dominant force, with Max Verstappen retaining the lead in the driver standings and Sergio Perez, who narrowly missed out on third place at Albert Park, in second. Lewis Hamilton lies in fourth, behind Fernando Alonso. The Red Bull team currently top the Constructor Standings comfortably, with Aston Martin in second.

The Australian Grand Prix also saw plenty of contentious incidents, however. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was fuming after receiving what he deemed to be an “unfair” five-second penalty for a collision with Alonso, which saw him plummet down the leaderboard. Meanwhile, George Russell argued that Red Bull are “holding back” and not showing their full potential in case F1 changes the rules to disadvantage them. He claimed that the Austrian team have been “embarrassed” to unveil their full power this season.

Finally, Williams driver Will Sweet spoke out about the “horrendous” injury he sustained from debris at the Australian GP. Sweet was left bleeding after he was struck by a piece of car debris that flew off the track. He called on F1 and the FIA to ensure the safety of trackside spectators is improved, warning that those watching the race hold F1’s future in their hands but are currently being put “at serious risk”.



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