Antonini: Hamilton & Wolff started Ferrari switch rumour
Former Ferrari spokesman Alberto Antonini suspects the rumour about Lewis Hamilton potentially switching to Ferrari was started by the six-time world champion himself.
Journalist Antonini, who headed Ferrari's press office until early this year, was referring to La Gazzetta dello Sport's recent story about Hamilton meeting twice with Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
Antonini says Nico Rosberg also visited Maranello some years ago, but the rumour did not come out.
"In those days, there was talk about Ferrari being ready to go to the market to replace Kimi Raikkonen," he told the Italian website Formula Passion.
"Think what would have happened if that was filtered to the media. But nothing happened," Antonini said. "And it was only Nico.
"In the past, I even saw Toto Wolff in Maranello, and we even went to dinner - not just the two of us. But there was not a line in the newspapers in the following days.
"When you want to keep a meeting secret, you can usually do it," he added. "So if there were rumours of not one but two contacts between Elkann and Hamilton, it is because someone was interested in putting it out."
Antonini suspects that it could be Hamilton himself, in cahoots with Mercedes team boss Wolff, who leaked the information.
"It certainly was not Ferrari, after the management spent a year juggling hot potatoes," he said. "They have another year ahead with the same pair of drivers, so it seems to be destabilising to leak rumours of their interest in Hamilton.
"The rumour is much more likely to have come from someone for whom it is convenient.
"Some will think it's a way for Lewis to start the tug of war in renewing his Mercedes contract. But I rather see it as a way for Lewis and Toto to convince their bosses in Stuttgart not to turn off the Formula 1 tap," said Antonini.
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What else is new?
Does Pope shit in the woods?
Lewis Hamilton Enterprises, Inc. has every reason to want to stay on the front pages.
Why should anybody be surprised that Lewis is as likely a source of the rumor as anyone else? Actually, all other "usual suspects"pale by comparison.
Complete and utter tosh with no foundation, the press make up stories like this whenever there's a quiet day on the F1 news front.
No doubt the Hamilton haters will be online soon, oh to late
My followers never disappoint!
Simon, don't be too flattered. ok then follows everybody. Rumour is that he is the site monitor. BTW, this article does sound like contrived drivel Can't see any way that it would benefit HAM or Toto. MB will stay in F1 as long as it makes $$$ sense, and then they will bail. Pressure from their racing teams is moot.
Rich coming from Mr Reply. But good to see you're agreeing again
Old Racer,
I am not a research librarian but there is evidence that your claim that "ok then follows everybody" is not without merit.
Yeah, just don't disagree with him. He is a bit thin skinned. LOL
Yes, quite so!
Ahh Simon, I think you never liked it when you had pop's at Lewis Hamilton.
Anyway NOT good to see you're still doing it, I guess some people never learn. (lol as ROR would say)
Meant "I think you never liked replies to your vitriol at Lewis Hamilton"
Hello there ok then! How are you doing, old chap? Long time no hear. Or is it?
Some months ago I stated I would not respond to your posts (for the reasons well known to you.) You gleefully welcomed it stating something like 'good, and I hope you stick to it.' I kept my end of the bargain only to discover that not a single of my posts (none addressed to you) were left unanswered by you.
It is known on this board that I have a 'short list' of drivers I like and support. It is also known that Lewis is not on that list.
I owe no explanation to anyone, particularly not to you, why Lewis is not a driver I support.
As for the 'vitriol' I have directed at the man it's all out in the open. Posters and readers can judge for themselves what I said about Lewis and, accordingly, evaluate your charge of 'vitriol.'
I hate to tell you, you are not the first to resort to lies and distortions of what I posted. 'Members of your own team' beat you to it, until they were called to it and quietly dropped it.
My posts have, apparently, become an obsession with you. Your inability to accept that some people don't share your views have a misfortunate tendency of your careening into rudeness and personal insults. No doubt you recall the webmaster removing some of your posts for exactly these reasons.
If you are unable to be civil, and are unable to afford professional help, then, simply refrain from posting.
I fully expect you to quickly respond in your unmistakable, not to say inimitable style. However, in keeping with my original promise, I recommend that you hold no breath expecting me to dignify you with a reply.
ok then, if I may, I suggest that you not go to battle with Simon. It appears that you are out gunned in that battle. Stick with me. I am a much easier target and find YOUR vitriol quite amusing. LOL Also, I am a bit more accepting of HAM...a great driver, although his choice of Elton John attire at the awards ceremony was not to my taste.
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