"I take it with a smile," says McLaren boss Andrea Stella of speculation linking him with a shock move to Ferrari.

'Silly season' used to be about the driver merry-go-round, and traditionally it got underway around September as the F1 circus pitched tents at Monza. However, in recent years it has taken place all season, and isn't limited to drivers, but various team personnel including engineers, designers, strategists, even team bosses.

Despite being the main architect of McLaren's success over the last couple of years - Zak Brown being responsible for sweet talking potential sponsors and backers - Gianpiero Lambiase's move to Woking has fuelled talk of Andrea Stella upping sticks and heading back to Ferrari.

Even though Fred Vasseur has signed a new contract, various people have been linked with his job, not least Christian Horner.

However, Stella, who joined Ferrari in 2000, and race engineered for Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, before heading to Woking in 2015 as head of race operations, has laughed-off the rumours.

"Honestly, some of the recent rumours, including those regarding astronomical salaries and mythical pre-contracts, have made me smile," said the Italian. "It almost seems as though the 'silly season', which usually begins before summer, has arrived early!

"I'm quite used to this sort of thing by now and I take it with a smile," he added. "It almost looks like some envious pastry chef has tried to spoil the preparation of a good dessert at the McLaren patisserie," he joked. "However, we do know very well how to distinguish the good ingredients from the poisoned biscuits!"

Referring to Lambiase, he said: "Gianpiero's arrival will add a great amount of expertise and potential to the team for the long term. At the same time, it is further confirmation of how attractive McLaren has become to the best talents in Formula 1.

"This credibility we have gained is the result of the hard work done by all men and women who have worked at McLaren over recent years to build a culture that allows people to grow and contribute to the common goal, in a healthy and enjoyable environment," he continued. "On top of McLaren's results on the track and the team's ethos perceived in the right way from the outside, I am convinced contributed to Gianpiero deciding to join us."

Returning to the baking theme, he said: "Gianpiero's arrival is the classic icing on a cake that already has all the right ingredients in the first place. For me, he will be a key support, filling the role of Chief Racing Officer, a position I currently hold alongside my role as Team Principal."

The Italian concluded by admitting that the sport has changed dramatically since he first entered it, and teams have had to adapt.

"Together with Zak, we have always worked over the past three years to ensure the continuity over the long term in terms of leadership and expertise," said the Italian. "This is particularly true for certain key roles, like positions in the race team. It is above all in this area that the expansion of the calendar has had significant consequences in terms of personal commitment and quality of life."