Lauda rules out replacing Ecclestone

Niki Lauda on Saturday ruled out replacing Bernie Ecclestone as F1 supremo.

Embroiled in a bribery scandal, the sport’s current chief executive on Friday actually named Lauda, the great triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman, as a potential successor who could potentially be named "tomorrow".

Lauda doesn’t think so.

"No, I will not be boss of formula one!" the F1 legend told German newspaper Bild.

"I have a job at Mercedes with a contract that goes up to and including 2017. Anyway, I do not think about things that will not happen," said Lauda.

But what about when that Mercedes contract expires? By then, Ecclestone will be a ripe 87.

"Completely excluded," Lauda insists. "I was never asked if I want to be Bernie’s successor. Period."

And Auto Motor und Sport quotes him as also saying: "You might as well ask me if I am flying to the moon."