Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has represented Felipe Massa, a former Brazilian F1 driver, in his successful defence of reverse summary judgment/strike out applications brought by Formula One Management (FOM), Mr. Bernard Ecclestone and Formula One’s governing body, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

In March 2024, Mr. Massa issued proceedings against FOM, Mr. Ecclestone and the FIA to recover substantial damages and certain declaratory relief in claims for breach of contract, inducing breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy arising out of the actions and decisions taken by the defendants following a crash during the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.

Mr. Massa alleges that Mr. Ecclestone (the former CEO of FOM) and Mr. Max Mosley (the former President of the FIA) were informed of the deliberate nature of the crash in 2008, and instead of taking action to investigate the crash, took steps to conceal such information in order to “protect the sport and save it from a huge scandal”. Mr. Massa’s case is that had the FIA investigated the matter in 2008, the results of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix would have been cancelled or adjusted, and he would have won the 2008 Formula One World Championship for Drivers.

In January 2025, the defendants brought applications for reverse summary judgment and/or strike out of Mr. Massa’s claims. These applications were heard at a three-day hearing in the High Court from 29-31 October 2025. On 20 November 2025, Mr. Justice Jay handed down judgment. In the main, the Mr. Justice Jay rejected the defendants’ strike out and/or reverse summary judgment applications, and Mr. Massa’s claims against the defendants for inducing breach of contract and conspiracy will now proceed to trial.

The Debevoise team was led by partner Christopher Boyne, and included partner Jeffrey Sullivan KC, counsel Luke Duggan, and associate Callum Murphy.