Lauda rules out replacing Ecclestone

Lauda realizes he is not even qualified to shine Bernie's shoes

(GMM) 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."