Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Seat in Danger as Felipe Massa Reveals Past Warning Over Fernando Alonso Criticism
The Formula 1 paddock is abuzz after fresh concerns emerged over Lewis Hamilton’s long-term future at Ferrari. According to Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle, the seven-time world champion could face an uncertain stint with the Scuderia if results do not improve — and may even lose his seat to another British driver in the near future.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season in a high-profile move from Mercedes, is enduring a torrid debut campaign in red. Despite immense anticipation surrounding his partnership with Charles Leclerc, the British legend has failed to deliver the expected results, going 20 races without a single podium finish. His lack of form has prompted critics to question whether Ferrari’s gamble is paying off.
Martin Brundle, a respected voice in F1 and a former driver himself, believes Ferrari might soon have to consider their options if Hamilton’s struggles continue. “Ferrari can’t afford to wait forever,” Brundle remarked. “If results don’t come, they’ll have to start thinking about the next generation — and there are some talented young British drivers on the grid who could fill that seat.”
Brundle stopped short of naming his preferred replacement, but speculation has already begun to swirl around potential candidates like Lando Norris or George Russell — both of whom have been outperforming expectations this season. Norris, in particular, has been a standout figure in 2025, leading the drivers’ championship with McLaren and proving himself capable of taking the fight to Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s internal politics have once again come into the spotlight following shocking revelations from former team driver Felipe Massa. The Brazilian, who raced for Ferrari between 2006 and 2013, recently disclosed that he was reprimanded by the team in 2009 for making critical remarks about Fernando Alonso.
At the time, Alonso had already been internally confirmed to join Ferrari for the 2010 season, moving from Renault. However, tensions were high, especially following the infamous 2008 “Crashgate” scandal. Alonso’s victory at the Singapore Grand Prix that year — achieved after his teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car — indirectly cost Massa the championship.
Although Alonso was later cleared of involvement in the conspiracy, Massa maintained his doubts about the fairness of the race outcome. During his ongoing legal battle to seek damages for the lost 2008 title, Massa revealed that his public comments about Alonso’s potential involvement did not sit well with Ferrari management. “I was called in and warned by the team,” Massa explained. “They told me not to speak negatively about Alonso. It was clear they didn’t want any internal conflict before his arrival.”
The revelation highlights Ferrari’s longstanding tendency to protect their star drivers — a pattern that could echo today with Hamilton’s arrival. Despite his struggles, the Maranello-based team has continued to publicly back the 39-year-old Briton, though pressure is undoubtedly mounting behind closed doors.
Insiders suggest that Ferrari’s patience may run thin if Hamilton fails to adapt to the car’s unpredictable handling and inconsistent race pace. Some within the team reportedly believe Leclerc has done a better job of extracting performance from the SF-25, widening the performance gap between the two drivers.
For Hamilton, who joined Ferrari seeking a fresh challenge and the chance to chase an eighth world title, the situation represents a humbling reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1. From being a serial title contender at Mercedes to now fighting for top-ten finishes, the British icon’s struggles have fueled debate over whether his peak years are behind him.
With Massa’s revelations bringing renewed attention to Ferrari’s internal culture and Brundle hinting at potential replacements, the coming months could prove pivotal for Hamilton’s future. Unless results improve dramatically, his dream move to Ferrari could end far sooner than expected — and possibly open the door for a new British star to take his place.
