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Top F1 teams call for Bernie to be replaced

London - Mercedes and Red Bull have joined Ferrari in reportedly moving against Formula 1's long-time CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

Reports recently suggested Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne had proposed that the 85-year-old Briton be replaced by a new, three-pronged leadership team.

Thinking about the future

When asked about the viability of Ecclestone's continuing reign, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff told the German news agency DPA: "Some may think they are immortal, and that performance remains the same.

He added: "However, there is a great responsibility to the sport to do what is right for the future."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko has a similar view, backing Marchionne's vision of a three-person leadership team; perhaps involving Niki Lauda.

Marko told Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper: "When I think about the sporting side, then for me Niki Lauda is one of the hottest candidates."

As for rumours Wolff might be another candidate, the 44-year-old himself answered: "I have a plan, but it's too early to talk about it. I enjoy the role I have at Mercedes.

"I have the support of the board, Daimler and the team, so in this respect I have very good conditions to pursue my objectives with Mercedes," Wolff added.

Change is needed

What is clear, however, is that the anti-Ecclestone rhetoric is heating up amid an intense political climate in F1 at present.

Referring to recent headlines attracted by controversial comments by Ecclestone, Wolff said: "Irrationality and excessive emotion has no place in the job.

He concluded: "Times change, we live in a digital world and to cause headlines like that every few days without thinking about it is certainly not the right way."

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