Oct.14 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has dismissed claims Lewis Hamilton has made a bad choice by electing to move from McLaren to Mercedes.

Told by an interviewer it might not be the wisest choice for the 2008 world champion, Ferrari team boss Domenicali said: "Mercedes has enormous potential.

"It has invested heavily in the past three years and has not achieved the results it expected. But it is doing everything in its power to win," he told El Pais newspaper.

"Hamilton has seen this potential that has not yet materialised.

"What is clear," added the Italian, "is that McLaren has lost a tremendous asset.

"After Fernando (Alonso), Vettel and him are the fastest ones."

Meanwhile, Domenicali defended Alonso's number 2 teammate Felipe Massa, amid intense speculation in Korea that the 31-year-old will be retained in 2013.

"There is no evidence," he said, "that he is still suffering either medically or mentally from the accident he had three years ago.

"I think what happened is that he suffered more than his teammate with the cars we have designed lately.

"Another element to consider is that it is not easy for anyone to have someone like Fernando as your teammate. You have to be very mature to accept how good he is.

"That's something we experienced with Schumacher as well -- when we had someone next to him who is able to recognise that Schumacher was faster, everything was perfect.

"When he (the number 2) tries to prove that he is better and he does not, problems appeared," added Domenicali.

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