Toto Wolff denies taking over Ecclestone's job

Toto Wolff has now joined Niki Lauda in distancing himself from speculation regarding Bernie Ecclestone's possible demise as F1 supremo. In Barcelona, following a meeting of big-wigs like Daimler's Dieter Zetsche and Fiat's Sergio Marchionne, Ecclestone confirmed that "some plotting" had taken place.

But F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Lauda dismissed as "b------t" speculation he is being lined up as the potential new 'sporting' replacement for Ecclestone. "Toto Wolff and I have a big enough job here with Mercedes, and we even own shares in the team. We are successful and everything works fine," he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Now speaking to Spain's El Mundo newspaper, Wolff agrees. Earlier, he had written off the so-called Barcelona plotting as "just another meeting on the normal business of formula one". When asked if he can imagine himself in Ecclestone's white shirt, the 44-year-old said: "I've always been an entrepreneur -- I've never liked working for others. Therefore, I appreciate my job at Mercedes very much," said Wolff.

Initially a budding driver and entrepreneur, he said entering formula one in the capacity he now enjoys was something he "dreamed" about. "I dreamed but did not believe," said Wolff. "When I raced, my goal was to win, but it prepared me to perform management tasks. Soon I started investing and was able to enter the world of racing through HWA, then Williams and finally here. I am satisfied with where I am," he added. (GMM)