Feb.3 (GMM) Niki Lauda has brushed away Ferrari's suggestion that a Mercedes is not a "real" red car.

After Michael Schumacher kicked off his new career at Mercedes by appearing at the wheel of a red SLR for a TV commercial, Luca di Montezemolo said the German marque was the seven time world champion's second choice for his F1 return.

"If there was the possibility of a third car, with great respect for Mercedes, Michael would have been promoting a real red Ferrari not a red Mercedes," he said.

Lauda, who won two of his three world championships at the wheel of a Ferrari, told Germany's Bild newspaper: "Ferrari doesn't yet own the colour red.

"I still have my red cap!" laughed the 60-year-old Austrian.

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