Felipe Massa reveals ‘very clear situation’ where Ferrari stopped their drivers from racing

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Felipe Massa spent seven seasons of his illustrious Formula 1 career with the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari, and some of his experiences make for fascinating hearing.

The Brazilian nearly did it all with the Italian outfit, from partnering the legendary Michael Schumacher to winning the constructors’ championship – he was a great role model for fans around the world.

The way he handled his 2008 last-corner championship loss at his home race in Brazil, is a moment enshrined in Formula 1 history, as he stood on the top step of the podium with immense pride.

But there are a few tales from his years with Ferrari that are largely unknown to the public, and he has been revealing some of the secrets from his seven years with them.

Felipe Massa claims Ferrari imposed team orders ‘after Spa’

Speaking to Motorsport Brasil, Massa discussed various aspects of his Ferrari career, including the use of team orders.

Everyone remembers the infamous ‘Fernando is faster than you’ from Hockenheim in 2010, but that was before his horrific accident at Hungary in 2009.

Before his accident, Massa revealed that there was a different approach to matters within the Italian team and how things worked with his teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

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“In 2007, 2008, 2009, right until my accident. It was a very clear situation. It’s a situation that the order happened at the beginning of the year, you have until the Spa [to] race.

“Right at that time, that’s where you are free to compete. After Spa, there’s someone in front. Whoever is in front is the first driver.”

What could have been for Massa after Kubica signing

There are all sorts of crazy ‘what could have been stories’ in Formula 1, with one that came out a few years ago striking a stunning realisation for Massa fans.

It was revealed by Robert Kubica himself that back in 2011, he had signed a deal to drive for Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso in the 2012 season.

That would have cut Massa’s career with the Scuderia short by an extra two years, leaving him searching for a drive ahead of 2012.

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Thinking back to the driver market landscape then, there weren’t really any seats on offer that he could have taken apart from Lotus-Renault – following former teammate Raikkonen over in place of Romain Grosjean.

Or maybe a move to Williams, where he ended up two years later anyway – to replace fellow countryman Rubens Barrichello after he retired in 2011.