Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that "blocks" have been placed on his preferred successor Flavio Briatore.
The apparent lack of a succession plan for the 85-year-old Briton has long been an issue, but supremo Ecclestone says that his main suggestions were "thrown out".
"There are a million people who think they can do it, but it is an urgent case of finding the right one," he told the Daily Star Sunday.
The matter may now have returned right to the top of the agenda, with Ecclestone revealing to the Mail on Sunday that CVC is poised to sell Formula 1.
"Actually, two of the people have agreed the price," he said. "It's just a question of whether CVC wants to sell or not."
As for who might one day run the sport in Ecclestone's wake, the billionaire says that his preferred nomination has been ruled out.
"I would love Flavio [Briatore] to come back," he told the Star, referring to the flamboyant former Renault team boss who left F1 in disgrace after the 'crashgate' scandal.
"But there are blocks on him and that is so sad and a great loss to F1."
The 2016 F1 calendar continues with the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3.
