5 F1 conspiracy theories that have taken up a life of their own

F1 has delivered some of the most dramatic moments in sporting history. But many incidents over the years have led to debates that continue long after the checkered flag has fallen, and even today, much like any other sport.

Over the years, the F1 fandom has not only questioned controversies and FIA decisions but also alleged that there may be things going on behind closed doors that nobody outside the paddock knows about. In some cases, there has never been a definitive answer, allowing theories to grow into part of F1 folklore.

So let’s take a look as five conspiracy theories in the F1 world that have taken up a life of their own.

5 major F1 conspiracy theories

#1 F1 knew about Crashgate and covered it up

It is believed by many fans of the sport that F1 and the FIA knew about Crashgate in 2008 before it was eventually exposed in 2009. Many fans argue that series owner Bernie Ecclestone decided to cover it up instead in an attempt to protect the image of the sport.

When the scandal was eventually unearthed in 2009, many wanted Felipe Massa to be crowned world champion in 2008, as he lost the title by just one point to Lewis Hamilton and Renault’s deliberate crash in Singapore had a direct impact on the title battle. The FIA chose to leave the results unchanged, citing regulations that prevented old championships from being reopened.

This theory was reignited when Ecclestone, in an interview in 2023, said that he and the late FIA president Max Mosley had learned about Crashgate in 2008 but chose not to act. This led to Felipe Massa suing him and the sport in court, while the now 95-year-old Ecclestone has since denied the claim and even said that he does not remember giving the aforementioned interview.

#2 Michael Schumacher intentionally crashed into Damon Hill in 1994

The battle for the drivers’ title in 1994 came down to the final race in Adelaide, with Michael Schumacher leading the championship over Damon Hill by one point going into the final round. On Lap 36, the German driver ran off the track and hit a wall. Hill, who was behind him, attempted an overtake, only for the two drivers to collide and retire from the race.

This gave Schumacher the first of his seven titles, but not without controversy. Numerous fans and experts believe to this day that he deliberately crashed into Hill’s car to stop him from securing the title. But the FIA at the time called it a racing incident and allowed Schumacher to keep the championship.

Schumacher himself always maintained that it was a racing incident, but not everybody, particularly in the UK, is convinced of that to this day.

#3 Ferrari’s controversial 2019 engine was illegal

Ferrari’s straight line speed during the 2019 season raised eyebrows throughout the paddock, with rival teams questioning how the Scuderia had found such a significant performance advantage. After months of investigation, the FIA announced ahead of the 2020 season that it had reached a confidential settlement with Ferrari regarding its power unit, with the details remaining secret.

This sparked one of the biggest conspiracy theories in modern F1, with many fans believing that Ferrari had found an illegal way to bypass fuel flow regulations and that the FIA quietly swept the matter under the rug. The governing body never publicly revealed its findings, which only fueled further speculation.

Ferrari consistently denied breaking any rules, while the FIA maintained that the matter had been resolved through its investigation. However, the secrecy surrounding the settlement remains a source of debate among fans, many of whom still believe the full story has never been told.

#4 McLaren favored Lewis Hamilton over Fernando Alonso in 2007

Fernando Alonso arrived at McLaren in 2007 as the reigning 2x world champion. However, rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton immediately emerged as a title contender and competed against Alonso throughout the year in equal machinery.

But many fans, most of whom support Alonso, believe that the team favored Hamilton in this battle based on several moments from the season, particularly in Monaco and Hungary. They also claim that McLaren, a British team, wanted Hamilton, a British driver, to win.

Some also claim that Alonso allegedly told team boss Ron Dennis that he had emails which could expose McLaren’s involvement in the infamous Spygate case, which were later discovered by the FIA. Some believe Dennis never forgave Alonso after this and went on to favor Hamilton.

#5 AD21 was “manipulated” to create a dramatic finish

The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP remains one of the most controversial races in F1 history. A late safety car during the race allowed Max Verstappen to challenge Lewis Hamilton on the final lap and overtake him on fresher tires to claim his first title.

An FIA investigation after the race found that race director Michael Masi had not followed the correct procedure when ending the safety car period, and he was subsequently removed from the role. However, the investigation also found no evidence of deliberate manipulation.

But many fans believe otherwise, alleging that Masi deliberately made the decision to create a more dramatic ending to the title fight rather than allowing the race to finish under the safety car. Lewis Hamilton himself famously claimed that the race was being “manipulated” while still in the car on the final lap.

Edited by Samyak Sharma