A Swiss specialist publication has identified a link between Renault's surprising driver choice for this week's Jerez test, and a potential buyer for the Enstone based team.

It was rumored last month that Renault may be considering staying in Formula One as an engine supplier next year but withdrawing as a full constructor.

Motorsport Aktuell named Gerard Lopez, co-founder of venture capital firm Mangrove, as one prospective buyer.

Some insiders expressed surprise recently when Ho-Pin Tung, a Dutch born Chinese who has recently been driving in the A1 and Superleague series, was named alongside Lucas di Grassi and Bertrand Baguette for Renault's Jerez test lineup.

But a statement issued by the 26-year-old highlighted the fact that the sports management company Gravity handles him.

"Today we have come to the point where we can say we are at the threshold of formula one," Tung is quoted as saying.

Motorsport Aktuell reveals that Mangrove's Gerard Lopez is also involved with Gravity, therefore perhaps explaining Tung's Renault test.

It may also be significant that a large delegation of Chinese media is covering the Jerez test this week, including the state television broadcaster CCTV.

Renault could be devising an exit plan from Formula One that would involve selling its chassis-producing factory at Enstone to David Richards' Prodrive Company.

But the French carmaker intends to remain an engine supplier to the new Prodrive team as well as Red Bull at least for the next few years, the article in Wednesday morning's print edition of the French sports daily L'Equipe added.

The report, written by former Renault engine boss Denis Chevrier's wife Anne Giuntini, added that Richards' latest F1 plans involve the backing of a minor car manufacturer that is new to F1.

Reportedly, Richards would relocate his entire Prodrive operation from Banbury to Enstone as part of the deal, but L'Equipe cautioned that Renault is also considering alternate buyers for the UK facility.

"We will make an announcement the day we have something interesting to announce," a Prodrive spokesperson is quoted as saying.

"The truth is that Prodrive, whose candidacy was not accepted by the FIA for 2010, will be ready to take part in F1, on the condition of being able to be competitive and that the company be viable," the spokesperson added.

Renault is at the centre of rival bids to take control of its Formula 1 team, AUTOSPORT has learned, as David Richards' Prodrive operation faces opposition from Luxembourg investment fund Genii Capital.

The French car manufacturer's executive committee met in Paris yesterday to discuss the future plans for the team, ahead of a crunch board meeting next week.

It is understood that no formal decision was made about what to do, because it was felt that the rival bids need more consideration, but it is edging close to picking which way it wants to go.

A report that first emerged in French newspaper Le Parisien this morning, which has been confirmed to AUTOSPORT by sources close to the deal, has revealed that rather than Prodrive's bid being in co-operation with that of businessmen Gerard Lopez, as was initially suggested, they are in fact rivals.

Lopez's plans are being put together through his Genii Capital company, with co-operation from his business partner Eric Lux. The company has invested in a number of projects - including the Charlie Chaplin museum in Switzerland and the Gravity Sports Management company that looks after a number of drivers.

It is understood that Lopez's plan is for his company to take financial control of the team, but for it to remain Renault for at least another two years.

Sources have revealed that he intends to take between 75 and 100 per cent of the Renault team if his bid is successful. Furthermore, Lopez has agreed to incorporate the Renault Driver Development programme into his Gravity Sports Management company if he takes over the team.

Le Parisien suggests that Renault's CEO Carlos Ghosn favours this option for the future - especially because it has the blessing of Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

AUTOSPORT understands that although the executive committee did not make a formal decision about its plans for next year, it feels the Lopez bid is in pole position.

However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the current Renault F1 team management is believed to favour the bid being put together by Prodrive.

Richards' vast experience of running teams at all levels of motorsport would be valuable to Renault as it bids to return to the top in F1 - and it is believed his involvement would allow Renault the chance to withdraw its name from F1 and remain only as an engine supplier.

Ecclestone told The Times on Friday that he was confident a solution would be found to keep the Renault team in F1.

"We've got to get the whole Renault thing sorted out," he said. "We are in the middle of doing it now. I feel confident that we'll see Renault next year in Formula 1 under the name Renault and the year after and the year after that."

All F1 teams have agreed to participate in a common launch for 2010 cars next month.

Spanish media reports this week said the cost-cutting initiative, likely to take place at the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Sciences) complex in Valencia on January 30, was backed by most teams.

But reporting from the last day of the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco on Thursday, the Associated Press and Reuters news agencies said in fact all teams have agreed to take part.

"We have agreed among all the teams to do a joint launch,"
Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry said.

The topic was expected to be discussed further in Monaco on Thursday afternoon.

Tony Fernandes indicated his team supports the initiative, but revealed that the 2010 Lotus will not be ready to launch in late January.

"I won't have a car at that time. I could come with a Matchbox car," he joked.

Renault F1 has announced that it will continue in Formula 1, having concluded a deal to sell a large shareholding in the team to a Luxembourg based investment firm called Genii Capital.

Renault also announced today that it will continue to supply engines to Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season.

The deal with Genii was signed earlier this week, and should be concluded at the start of the new year. The team will continue to run

Renault F1 Presidemt Bernard Rey said, "I am delighted to welcome Genii Capital as our new strategic partner as I am sure that their enthusiasm and business expertise will create a new dynamic for the team, the staff, and our partners. Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula One. Today's announcement also confirms Renault's commitment and trust in the sport's governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula One."

Genii Capital CEO Eric Lux said, "We are delighted to have been selected as Renault's strategic partner for the Renault F1 Team. Our long-term vision for this challenging venture aims to return Renault to the forefront of Formula 1. Together with Renault, we intend to run the team with the same values as any of our other investments, prioritising ambitious performance targets without neglecting cost efficiency. We strongly believe that on-track performance can be compatible with business performance, and we will use all our entrepreneurial spirit and commercial know-how to achieve this goal."

Sources suggest that the fledgling Stefan GP team is in the process of opening up a 2010 entry spot by scuppering the Campos Meta team.

The Spanish outfit is said to be behind with its payments to the Italian constructor – the deal is believed to be worth 16m Euros a year. Sources suggest that the situation has progressed to the stage where Dallara can sell its project on, and that Stefan GP will buy the intellectual property of the new car. That will leave Campos without a leg to stand on, and free up its entry spot.

Stefan GP does not have a formal position as first reserve, but boss Zoran Stefanovich is closely associated with Bernie Ecclestone, and one assumes that the new team’s passage to the grid in Bahrain will be eased by the F1 supremo.

As previously reported Stefan GP has a deal with Toyota, and its new car – which would have been the TF110 – will test in Portugal later this month. Toyota protégé Kazuki Nakajima has been lined up to drive it.

If Campos fails then Bruno Senna will be on the market, joining the likes of Nick Heidfeld as possible teammates to the Japanese driver.

One problem facing Stefan is that while there are still F1 personnel in Cologne who can join the new project many of the designers and engineers have already moved to other teams, notably Lotus.

(CNN) -- Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly cast doubt on the participation of two new teams ahead of the 2010 season, suggesting that a Serbian outfit will instead be on the starting grid in Bahrain.

The Stefan Grand Prix team, owned by businessman Zoran Stefanovic, announced this week that they have already sent a container of equipment to Bahrain and will be testing drivers in Portugal later this month.

Last year Stefan GP applied to take part in 2010 but missed out when Virgin Racing, Campos Meta 1 and U.S. F1 Team were handed places, and then Sauber salvaged a spot on the grid despite the pullout of BMW.

Stefan GP have also announced a technical support deal with Toyota, who withdrew from F1 last year and have reportedly sold equipment and cars to the Serbians.

Web site Autosport.com has reported that Stefan have been working with former McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, who was sacked in 2007 due to his involvement in the Ferrari spy scandal.

Ecclestone told German sports paper Sport Bild that he doubted that Campos and US F1 would be ready for the opening race in Bahrain on March 15.

"I do not believe in the participation of U.S. F1 and Campos," the 79-year-old said.

"Instead, I have good contacts with Stefan GP and would like to give this team a good starting point. Ralf Schumacher would be the perfect driver for them, he knows the team and he has experience."

Schumacher, the younger brother of recently-returned seven-time world champion Michael, has not raced in F1 since leaving Toyota at the end of 2007. He drove in the DTM touring car series in 2008, finishing 14th.

Autosport claims that former Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima will be involved with Stefan, who plan to launch their new car before tests at the Portimao circuit on February 25-28.

"SGP Team will be testing with two drivers over three days. [The] identity of drivers will be announced in due course. First driver has already two years in F1," Stefan said on their official Web site on Tuesday.

1 Jenson BUTTON (GBR) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES (GB)
2 Lewis HAMILTON (GBR) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES (GB)

3 Michael SCHUMACHER (D) MERCEDES GP PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM
4 Nico ROSBERG (D) MERCEDES GP PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM

5 Sebastian VETTEL (DEU) RED BULL RACING (AUT)
6 Mark WEBBER (AUS) RED BULL RACING (AUT)

7 Felipe MASSA (BRA) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO (I)
8 Fernando ALONSO (ESP) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO (I)

9 Rubens BARRICHELLO (BRA) AT&T WILLIAMS (GB)
10 Nico HÜLKENBERG (D) AT&T WILLIAMS (GB)

11 Robert KUBICA (POL) RENAULT F1 TEAM (FRA)
12 Vitaly PETROV (RUS) RENAULT F1 TEAM (FRA)

14 Adrian SUTIL (D) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM (IND)
15 Vitantonio LIUZZI (I) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM (IND)

16 Sébastien BUEMI (CH) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO (I)
17 Jaime ALGUERSUARI (ESP) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO (I)

18 Jarno TRULLI (I) LOTUS RACING (MAL)
19 Heikki KOVALAINEN (FIN) LOTUS RACING (MAL)

20 TBA HRT F1 TEAM (ESP)
21 Bruno SENNA (BRA) HRT F1 TEAM (ESP)

22 Pedro DE LA ROSA (ESP) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM (CH)
23 Kamui KOBAYASHI (J) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM (CH)

24 Timo GLOCK (DEU) VIRGIN RACING (GB)
25 Luca DI GRASSI (BRA) VIRGIN RACING (GB)

Note: The USF1 Team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in 2010.

According to Bernie Ecclestone the struggles of F1’s small new teams are proof that EUR45 million is not enough to run a competitive team.

Ferrari recently slammed Lotus and Virgin for lagging the timesheets in the February tests, while HRT is yet to turn a single lap.

"Ferrari is right," F1 chief executive Ecclestone is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

When the three new teams signed up for the 2010 season, they believed former FIA president Max Mosley's rules would afford them advantages for sticking to a low budget limit.

The subsequent political war, led by Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo, means they are now pitching their small budgets against the might of the establishment.

Ecclestone admits that the 45m cap "would have given them a chance".

"I always warned that a budget limit would not work. Now the new teams find that their budgets are not sufficient," the Briton added.

The garage doors of the new Spanish team HRT, whose 2010 car is yet to turn a lap, were firmly closed on Wednesday.

Bruno Senna admitted that Friday will be devoted to mainly installation laps.

"We can think about the setup early on Saturday," said the Brazilian.

"I just hope we can get the car onto the track and eliminate as many problems as possible."