Vitaly Petrov thinks it is possible Felipe Massa will lose his Ferrari seat long before the 2012 Formula One season is over.
But Caterham's Russian driver, who moved from Lotus Renault GP (now Lotus F1) at the end of last season, does not believe reports that Ferrari could sack the struggling Brazilian imminently, such as after next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
"I don't think they'll fire Massa just now. At least not until August," Petrov is quoted by the state owned Moscow news agency Ria Novosti.
There are six races until August's month long calendar 'summer' break.
So while Petrov thinks Massa's career is genuinely in danger, he does not agree that Ferrari is ramping up the pressure on the 30 year old.
"I wouldn't say that Ferrari are criticising him that strongly," he said. "They're not saying he has one more chance or anything like that."
OVER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ALL PASSIONATE F1 AND MOTOR SPORT SUPPORTERS
Informing those in the know who want to know even more
Dedicated to Rudolf Ray +++ 14 April 2002 to 7 September 2007 +++