Lauda could be paddock absentee in 2012

It is possible Niki Lauda, the legendary cap-wearing triple world champion, will be absent from the formula one paddock in 2012.

Blick newspaper reports that the 62-year-old, recently an expert television pundit, is yet to ink a new agreement with the German broadcaster RTL.

"I’m very optimistic," the Austrian insisted, amid suggestions he is arguing with the channel’s sports boss Manfred Loppe over the size of his retainer.

Blick said DTM driver Ralf Schumacher, the former Williams and Toyota driver and brother of Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher, is on pole position to succeed Lauda.