Domenicali, Dennis exchange compliments

McLaren boss Ron Dennis and former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt endured an often tense relationship, with matters getting particularly edgy during last year's spy scandal.

However, Todt's departure and the promotion of Stefano Domenicali to team principal at Ferrari, has already offered the first indication of what could be a new period of harmony between the outfits.

Domenicali was particularly keen to stress during a briefing with the Italian media in Melbourne that he was full of admiration for the team bosses of Ferrari's long-standing British rivals McLaren and Williams.

"Ron Dennis and Frank Williams have built two of the greatest teams in Grand Prix history, and should be greatly admired for that," said Domenicali. "They are legends of the sport of Formula One."

Dennis has now responded to those comments and expressed his own support for Domenicali. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Dennis said: "It's very nice of Stefano to say what he said.

"Stefano is an able and likeable man, who has done an excellent job to work his way up through Ferrari to the very top, and deserves his success. I wish him well."