Mercedes say they’re following “with curiosity” former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa’s try and overturn the 2008 world championship outcome.

Wolff stated the Massa case was “not one thing anybody noticed coming”.

He added it would “actually set a precedent” they usually have been “trying from the sidelines with curiosity”.

Wolff urged that the Massa case may have ramifications for the controversial finish to the 2021 title battle.

Hamilton was on track to win the championship two years in the past for Mercedes whereas main rival Max Verstappen going into the ultimate laps of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

However race director Michael Masi failed to use the foundations accurately throughout a late safety-car interval, permitting just some lapped vehicles to un-lap themselves somewhat than all, as the foundations dictated.

The race was re-started for one remaining lap, on which Verstappen handed Hamilton to win the race and the title.

Wolff stated: “[Governing body] the FIA commented on the 2021 race, with a transparent assertion. So, that is why we’re taking a look at it with curiosity.”

The FIA stated in its report into Abu Dhabi that “human error led to the truth that not all vehicles have been allowed to un-lap themselves”.

The report added that Masi had acted “in good religion” and dominated that the results of the world championship was “legitimate and remaining”.

Masi was faraway from his position by the FIA and has since left the organisation to return to his native Australia.

Massa’s case is predicated on the occasions and aftermath of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, by which Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr intentionally crashed. This triggered a security automobile that benefited his team-mate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race.

In the course of the safety-car interval, Massa’s Ferrari workforce bungled a pit cease and he left the pits with the gas hose nonetheless connected to the automobile.

From main the race, the incident dropped Massa down the sphere and he failed to attain a degree. He ended up shedding the title to Hamilton by one level within the remaining race of the season in Brazil.

Massa’s case rests on reported remarks by former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone earlier this yr, by which he stated that he after which FIA president Max Mosley knew Piquet’s crash was deliberate and coated it up.

The FIA ultimately took motion a yr later, when Piquet stated publicly that he had been informed by workforce bosses to crash intentionally.

Mosley instigated an investigation which resulted in Renault workforce principal Flavio Briatore and chief technical officer Pat Symonds being banned from F1 for a number of years.

Massa’s legal professionals stated this week that that they had despatched preservation notices to Ferrari and former Renault workforce officers with a view to potential court docket motion.

Recipients included Briatore, Symonds and former Renault sporting director Steve Nielsen, a spokesperson for Massa stated.

Symonds has been rehabilitated and is at present chief technical officer of F1, whereas Nielsen is sporting director of the FIA.