Just days after backing Michael Schumacher to secure his eighth world title in his comeback season next year, FOM boss Bernie Ecclestone has been quoted as saying the new Mercedes driver won’t be the one with the crown at the end of 2010, instead it will be his German colleague, Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel.

“Forget about winning races, I have him on my bill for winning the championship,” Bernie said of Schumacher last week in the Mirror.

Now it appears as if he has forgotten this statement as he is telling German newspaper, Bild, that in his books, Vettel will be the man to get the job done instead...

"Michael Schumacher will have many rivals such as Hamilton, Alonso and above all Vettel. I'm saying it well in advance, but for me, Sebastian Vettel will be the next world champion."

So who is it Mr. Ecclestone, Schumacher or Vettel?

"Of course Schumacher can claim an eighth world title, but five other drivers can target this title. In the end it will come to the one with the best car."