Raikkonen's situation 'tricky' in Ferrari F1 title bid - Massa

Ferrari has insisted it will not impose team orders until one of its drivers is mathematically out of contention, but its former driver Massa is convinced that it will have no choice but to start favouring points leader Sebastian Vettel sooner rather than later.

Massa said that would leave Raikkonen, who missed out on victory in Monaco last month when Vettel jumped him by staying out longer before pitting, in a difficult position as a rear-gunner as the team chases its first drivers' title since his success 10 years ago.

"I think the Kimi situation is quite tricky from now on, because Ferrari has a big chance to win the championship," said Massa.

"They will try everything they can to win after how many years.

"Ferrari has not been winning things since 2007, and 2008 the constructors' championship, so they will try everything they can.

"And unfortunately, if you see the difference in points, Kimi is not in the position [he needs to be].

"He needs to accept what things can happen and it will happen."

Suspsecting Ferrari will throw all of its efforts behind Vettel, Massa said such a scenario could forced Mercedes to take similar action with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

"I think if Ferrari is doing the same, then clearly Mercedes have to do so also," he added.

"But it depends; if Hamilton is winning easy, then it is easy.

"But if he is not, then they will need to do so because otherwise they are just giving up points and maybe that can affect [the championship] at the end."