Ferrari not ruling out Hamilton swoop

[Mrs.Domenicali]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91532

Ferrari not ruling out Hamilton swoop

By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer Friday, May 20th 2011, 14:53 GMT


Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali says that Fernando Alonso's new deal through 2016 does not exclude the possibility of Lewis Hamilton joining the Italian team in that time.

Although Alonso's lengthy deal has been taken as a sign that Ferrari would be looking for a 'number two' driver to put alongside him, Domenicali said the door was always open to an established champion like Hamilton, regardless of Alonso's presence.

"I consider Lewis one of the top three drivers at the moment, the fastest drivers," Domenicali said.

"So in that respect for sure I consider him a potential driver for the strongest team, so I don't see why I have to say no to that question. Never say never in life.

"People can change and have a different approach, we see so many things going on everywhere in the world. Lewis is a strong driver and in the future who knows what can happen."

Domenicali preferred not to comment on how Alonso - who had a famously fractious relationship with Hamilton at McLaren in 2007 - might respond to being paired with the Briton again.

"If I speak about it, it is not correct for the other driver we have, who is Felipe [Massa], I want to feel that my drivers have a better atmosphere in the team, the focus is to make sure that both of them work in the best environment they can," said Domenicali.

"But in life, never say never. I don't want to say that that is a possibility, but I don't want to exclude the possibility. There are a few drivers that are really very strong, but speaking about this subject now it is not correct for the team now, I am focused to extrapolate the maximum value out of the drivers that Ferrari has."

[scuderiafan]

Ron Dennis :

[m schumy]

I don`t know exactly why but for me it would be weird to see Lewis in a Ferrari

[sv_godspeed]

Ron Dennis :

oh no! thats me

[Hornet]

And here I was thinking that Ferrari was talking about Hamilton "swooping" this weekend race when I saw the thread.

Never imagine we would be talking about hiring Lewis. That has to be booze talk Stefano Why the hell pick Lewis over Massa.

[scuderiafan]

oh no! thats me

id rather have vettel, to be hinest

[Tifoso]

If he comes, I will stop watching F1 until he leaves. Unless he gets thrashed by his team mate, then I'll watch every race

[Kingdom Hearts]

Lewis it's jumping of joy in his room right now.

[Greig]

I remember Ferrari fans being outraged that MS was coming to drive for us

Ferrari comes first for me no matter who drives unless it's Kimi

[Tifoso]

Hahaha

[Fiondella]

I remember Ferrari fans being outraged that MS was coming to drive for us

Ferrari comes first for me no matter who drives unless it's Kimi

Very true. Magnum anyone?

[Katu]

i think it should now make everyone who says that Fernando chooses his teammates shut up

[Tifoso]

i think it should now make everyone who says that Fernando chooses his teammates shut up

Why? It's only a rumor.

[Katu]

Why? It's only a rumor.

because it's the same like the 6-tenths story, with time you get bored with it

[Rob]

I remember Ferrari fans being outraged that MS was coming to drive for us

Ferrari comes first for me no matter who drives unless it's Kimi

+1

As long as we have the best drivers who can deliver every race and will work for the team and push for the WCC&WDC.

Honestly, be nice to have a British driver racing for us again, been looooong overdue. Think Ferrari can handle them, plus Hamilton said last year he would like to have Fernando as team mate again. They made up, from 2007, still hot fiery relationship on track, as you expect.

[Suzie]

If it ever happened I would just have to ignore Lewis and throw all my support behind whoever his teammate at Ferrari was. Bit like I did when Rubens was there

[Brakefade]

Luca is the one who decides who drives for Ferrari. I hope neither Lewis or Vettel ever drive for the prancing horse.

[Paulpg87]

i care only about ferrari winning , if hamilton can win for me it won't be a problem, i hate mclaren, not hamilton. Surely i would trade Hamilton for Massa right now...but also Button.

[Ken]

The voice of reason says the best drivers of the time should be in a Ferrari.

The Bigot says as long as it is not him or him.

I AM A BIGOT I cringe and despise the thought of Hamilton in red car and my heart says no to Vettel

[evo_spook]

The voice of reason says the best drivers of the time should be in a Ferrari.

The Bigot says as long as it is not him or him.

I AM A BIGOT I cringe and despise the thought of Hamilton in red car and my heart says no to Vettel

wow, so it doesn't matter how good a driver aslong as they don't match your pre-conceieved ideals.

At one time, Alonso was almost as hated, now he is hailed almost as the 2nd coming, time and need sometimes overtakes stupidity

[Greig]

wow, so it doesn't matter how good a driver aslong as they don't match your pre-conceieved ideals.

At one time, Alonso was almost as hated, now he is hailed almost as the 2nd coming, time and need sometimes overtakes stupidity

And those that hated Alonso still will hate Alonso, just they have to tone it down on this forum, not everyone has to think the same, if someone dislikes Lewis and all he is then fine, you can't force them to like him, just like we can't force you to stop supporting Lewis...

[Suzie]

wow, so it doesn't matter how good a driver aslong as they don't match your pre-conceieved ideals.

I reserve the right to dislike people for silly reasons; one of those being that Lewis is a balloon-faced little twerp.

[evo_spook]

Nope not everyone has to think the same thankfully, especially to hate a driver just due to his race (looking at the dictionary definition of bigot)

[Alessandra]

Re-reading this I can only imagine that Stefano was responding to a direct and possibly **** stirring question. It would be unlike the character I understand him to have to say' Certainly not' about any driver, he's too polite for that.
I think you have to look at the final para. "But in life, never say never. I don't want to say that that is a possibility, but I don't want to exclude the possibility. There are a few drivers that are really very strong, but speaking about this subject now it is not correct for the team now, I am focused to extrapolate the maximum value out of the drivers that Ferrari has."[/B]

It's a diplomat's answer - at least I certainly hope so

[evo_spook]

lol so its strange for a team manager to say that he will have the strongest drivers in his team, sounds pretty sensible and not stupid. Should be applauded.

[Tifoso]

Re-reading this I can only imagine that Stefano was responding to a direct and possibly **** stirring question. It would be unlike the character I understand him to have to say' Certainly not' about any driver, he's too polite for that.
I think you have to look at the final para. "But in life, never say never. I don't want to say that that is a possibility, but I don't want to exclude the possibility. There are a few drivers that are really very strong, but speaking about this subject now it is not correct for the team now, I am focused to extrapolate the maximum value out of the drivers that Ferrari has."[/B]

It's a diplomat's answer - at least I certainly hope so

Agreed. Would be a bit of a slap in the face to Massa, otherwise.

[ThetakedownUK]

OH noooo how annoying would that be... I mean we`d have to see Nicol DO NOT AVOID THE SWEAR FILTER-TSN MODsinger`s face even more on the tv...She only turns up to races when shes about to release a single or her P.R needs a boost.....bleh..

[Suzie]

Nope not everyone has to think the same thankfully, especially to hate a driver just due to his race (looking at the dictionary definition of bigot}

Ken didn't mean it like that whatsoever.

[Tifoso]

Ken didn't mean it like that whatsoever.

[Stormsearcher]

I reserve the right to dislike people for silly reasons; one of those being that Lewis is a balloon-faced little twerp.

Am with you suzie!!!!...
it will be disgusting to watch lewis in red. Though it will be a great thing for the team. After Nando, he is the best.

However, i think this is just stefano trying to get fair uncle Ron all wired up.