Stefano Domenicali going to McLaren?
Stefano Domenicali going to McLaren?
Author
Discussion

Derek Smith

Original Poster:

49,730 posts

277 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
See:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/formula_one/2008/07...

It’s headed something along the lines of ‘secret’ meeting between Stefano Domenicali and Anthony Hamilton. It seems a strange use of the word secret as it was out in a well frequented public area. James Bond it is not.

Anyway, I’m one of the few people who can lip-read photographs so I can exclusively give the full conversation.

Stefano Domenicali: Hi, Anthony. Been meaning to ask you. D’you know of any vacancies going at McLaren?

Anthony Hamilton: Well, I’m told there might be a vacancy for a driver alongside Lewis.

S.D.: Not really what I’m after. Any chance Ron might go at the end of the year? I could replace him.

A.H.: Aren’t you happy at Ferrari?

S.D.: Well, I've had problems 'cause they say I'm not Italian enough. You see I've got hips. But worse than that, I’ve upset them. It was silly really, just a throwaway line in interview that put them all against me.

A.H.: I thought you took a big risk in dropping the case against McLaren.

S.D.: No. It wasn’t that. It was when I said that Ferrari wanted to put aside the bitterness and that I hoped for a rancour-free battle on the track against McLaren. The PR side of Ferrari said that no one would believe that. I mean, even I didn't. However, I think I could have got away with it but then, for some reason, I made the biggest mistake of my life.

A.H.: What even worse than the setup for the cars at Sliverstone?

S.D.: Much, much worse. I cringe when I think about it. I said that Ferrari had made the decision in the interests of Formula 1.

A.H.: No!

S.D.: Yes, I know. Stupid or what?

Miss Pitstop

4,289 posts

231 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
Very good Derek, as always.

Whenever I see him I always remember what Brundle (I think) said earlier in the year...

"If he was British, he'd be called Stephen Sunday - not so impressive is it!"

laugh

FourWheelDrift

92,269 posts

313 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
I thought it was more like.

Anthony - "Hi Stefano, any chance of me taking one of your new Ferrari California's out for a test drive?"

Stefano - "Not after what you did to that Carerra GT!"

Anthony - "Arsesocks"

stuttgartmetal

8,152 posts

245 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
The Times said:
No one is expecting Lewis to leave McLaren any time soon but the notion that he will end up at Maranello at some point in the not too distant future is regarded by many in the paddock as almost inevitable.
This would 'put the cat amongst the pigeon' for all the Hammy lovers and Ferrari haters.

MrKipling43

5,788 posts

245 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
The Times said:
No one is expecting Lewis to leave McLaren any time soon but the notion that he will end up at Maranello at some point in the not too distant future is regarded by many in the paddock as almost inevitable.
This would 'put the cat amongst the pigeon' for all the Hammy lovers and Ferrari haters.
Pft. Is what I say.

Even if Lewis does go to Ferrari (which I doubt) it's not going to be until 2015 - possibly even later. Would they be discussing that now?!

Let's assume that Alonso is going to Ferrari in 2010, he'll be there on at least a three year deal with options and let's not forget, Fernando is only 26 - he's got a long, long time in F1 yet. You'd have to be completely mental to sign Lewis and Fernando onto the same team.

As has already been said, does anyone really believe that they'd discuss future driving contracts at a Mercedes dinner in full view of everyone?! No.

This is just column inches for the sake of filling column inches. I.e. Complete and utter cock.

ETA: Quality post btw, Derek. hehe

Edited by MrKipling43 on Friday 18th July 11:57

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
MrKipling43 said:
E30M3SE said:
The Times said:
No one is expecting Lewis to leave McLaren any time soon but the notion that he will end up at Maranello at some point in the not too distant future is regarded by many in the paddock as almost inevitable.
This would 'put the cat amongst the pigeon' for all the Hammy lovers and Ferrari haters.
Pft. Is what I say.

Even if Lewis does go to Ferrari (which I doubt) it's not going to be until 2015 - possibly even later. Would they be discussing that now?!

Let's assume that Alonso is going to Ferrari in 2010, he'll be there on at least a three year deal with options and let's not forget, Fernando is only 26 - he's got a long, long time in F1 yet. You'd have to be completely mental to sign Lewis and Fernando onto the same team.

As has already been said, does anyone really believe that they'd discuss future driving contracts at a Mercedes dinner in full view of everyone?! No.

This is just column inches for the sake of filling column inches. I.e. Complete and utter cock.

ETA: Quality post btw, Derek. hehe

Edited by MrKipling43 on Friday 18th July 11:57
Take it up with the Times journo, he's the one stating that,
" in the not too distant future is regarded by many in the paddock as almost inevitable."

I'm simply saying it would be an interesting situation.

MrKipling43

5,788 posts

245 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Take it up with the Times journo, he's the one stating that,
" in the not too distant future is regarded by many in the paddock as almost inevitable."

I'm simply saying it would be an interesting situation.
Oh I know, I actually didn't even mean to include your comments in the quote.

I think Mr Times Journo is talking bollucks, quite frankly.

williamp

20,389 posts

302 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
I can imagine it now. The FIA will investigate a complaint made about one team "poaching" a tema member from another team, and its well know that this perosn has information in his head- you know, phone nunbers, directions to things like the Ferrari test track etc etc. Mclaren will be fined for employing someone with this information....

Well, someone had to say it...

jimmyjam

2,450 posts

248 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
What utter drivel journalism. I vote for Derek to be journo at the Times Sports desk!

Piglet

6,250 posts

284 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
jimmyjam said:
What utter drivel journalism. I vote for Derek to be journo at the Times Sports desk!
I agree, it was rubbish...

Jeez, two people in F1 Paddock talk to each other shocker rolleyes

Doobs

736 posts

279 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
Derek Smith said:
<edited>..... I'm not Italian enough. You see I've got hips.
rofl

DrTre

12,957 posts

261 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
jimmyjam said:
What utter drivel journalism. I vote for Derek to be journo at the Times Sports desk!
Think some perspective on that particular blog/column is needed, ie an awful lot of what Ed Gorman writes there is very tongue in cheek.

nerf

991 posts

260 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
FourWheelDrift said:
I thought it was more like.

Anthony - "Hi Stefano, any chance of me taking one of your new Ferrari California's out for a test drive?"

Stefano - "Not after what you did to that Carerra GT!"

Anthony - "Arsesocks"
hahahah wtf is arsesocks.. thats genius!

rev-erend

21,619 posts

313 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
Brilliant weeping

Simon495

40 posts

221 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
jimmyjam said:
What utter drivel journalism. I vote for Derek to be journo at the Times Sports desk!
As quid pro quo for having upset the Fezza Int'l Helpline with the suggestion that fines have been handed out in a less than equitable manner, the nice people at NI have accepted as punishment the obligation to wind up the Woking team with utter dross for the rest of the season.
A reporter said ‘it was either that or an afternoon in a Chelsea dungeon’. (allegedly).

MonkeyHanger

9,267 posts

271 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
I'd say he wouldn't be performing his duty as Lewis's manager if he didn't maintain friendly contacts with other major teams.

Anything could happen at McLaren when Ron eventually calls it a day, just as things went sour for Mansell at Lotus when Colin Chapman died.

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
MonkeyHanger said:
I'd say he wouldn't be performing his duty as Lewis's manager if he didn't maintain friendly contacts with other major teams.
Valid point and very true.