Nico Rosberg says he will not allow himself to become distracted by people's opinions, insisting he is focused on winning races and not pleasing people.
Rosberg has a 26-point lead over title rival and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton heading into the final three races of 2016 and could seal his first Formula One title with victory in Mexico if Hamilton finishes 10th or lower. Equally, two second places and one third would provide the German with an unassailable championship lead.
When asked for his view on a comment made by Ecclestone, who was recently reported as saying Hamilton would be a more popular world champion and better for the sport, Rosberg replied: "I spoke to him personally and he said that's not exactly the way he said it. Anyways, that's not something that's important to me. I just focus on my thing, and that's it."
The German, who claimed victory at the Mexican Grand Prix last year on its return to the calendar, added that he is not concerned by what people think of him and emphasised his attention is solely on winning races.
"Well, you're talking a lot about what other people think and their opinions," he said. "I'm here to win races and not please everyone who is out there.
"There's always going to be people who have opinions that will be going against me in some way or other, those two examples you've given me and that's the nature of the business, it's always going to be like that, so I like to focus on the people who support me, and that's it."