By alley - Mar 4, 2015, 1:31 PM ET

F1: Manor "interim chairman" King denies aiming for Ecclestone role

King, formerly head of the Sainsbury's UK grocery chain (LEFT), has taken on the position of interim chairman at the Manor team as it continues preparations to race in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Despite having been singled out in the past as a potential successor to Bernie Ecclestone as F1's chief executive, King has again ruled out any expanded role in the sport beyond what he is doing for Manor.

"I have always been clear, I have never applied for a job where there isn't a vacancy – and there isn't a vacancy," said King, whose son Jordan is moving up from Formula 3 to GP2 this year, during a media briefing with Manor chiefs in London on Wednesday. "I intend to do something a bit different from what I have done in the past.

"I am working on a few things – my interest in the sport is now because I am involved in Manor. I understand why people made a connection [with F1] but that is because of my son."

King is offering management advice to the team, with

investment in the team being led by OVO energy boss Stephen Fitzpatrick

, whose funding is private rather than through his company.

"The support from the fan base has been great," King said. "What it reinforces is that there is a real desire in F1 – and that Manor can be part of that story again. It is great for me to play a part in getting it this far, and I have agreed to be chairman on an interim basis.

"When I left Sainbury's I felt I had another big job in me. But I want to find a [permanent] chairman. I will be non-executive director."

Originally on Autosport.com