Jul.22 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has played down Red Bull's claim that Mark Webber chose the energy drink-owned team for 2013 despite the lure of Ferrari.

Unusually for an official press release, Red Bull recently quoted Webber as saying he had "discussions with Ferrari" this year but ultimately decided to extend his current contract for another season.

"I don't like to speak of others," Ferrari team boss Domenicali told the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo at Hockenheim.

"But some people love to say these things to put on psychological pressure and also to raise themselves us, which is part of the racing world," said the Italian.

Domenicali suggested the Webber talks were never serious.

"The contacts that Ferrari has with other drivers are normal and part of formula one, but it's contacts, and nothing else.

"Some drivers use these contacts for different purposes.

"I think this year the only candidate for a Ferrari drive not mentioned is Zorro," he added.

"We had already said before the Webber statement that Ferrari is not in a hurry to decide our other driver. And that remains true," said Domenicali.

He is referring to the race seat currently occupied by Felipe Massa, whose form has improved markedly in the last few races.

Domenicali denied Ferrari has to actively search out a potential replacement.

"The drivers come to talk to us. The strength of Ferrari is that we are Ferrari even in difficult times."

And he hinted that all the talks will be called off if Massa continues to improve his form.

"If he can get rid of the difficulties he has been having, as seems to be the case now, I see him as one of the best formula one drivers," said Domenicali.

"My hope was that Felipe would develop along with the F2012. In Barcelona, when I realised that our car had taken a leap forward, I thought to myself 'now Felipe can return to what he was'.

"So I was very happy to see his pace in Monaco."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games