Niki Lauda has hit out at F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, insisting his recent comments about Nico Rosberg are "very unfair".
As Rosberg closes on his first title, Ecclestone said he would prefer if Lewis Hamilton won a third consecutive crown because "there is nothing to write about" Mercedes’ German driver.
But Lauda, an F1 legend who is Mercedes’ team chairman, hit out at Ecclestone’s comments in conversation with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
"This criticism of the possible world champion Nico Rosberg is quite excessive," Lauda said.
"And especially at such a crucial stage of the world championship, I think it’s very unfair," he added.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also backed Rosberg in the wake of Ecclestone’s comments.
"I think the driver who should be champion is the one at the end of the season with the most points," he said in Austin.
"He deserves the title and should be fully appreciated," added Wolff.