F1: Renault in talks with Force India

Renault has held talks with Force India to investigate the possibility of acquiring a majority stake in the Formula 1 team.

The French manufacturer is evaluating its long-term options beyond its current engine supply deal with Red Bull and Toro Rosso that expires at the end of next season. Renault has three options – continue as an engine supplier, return as a full works outfit or quit F1 altogether.

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya told AUTOSPORT that Renault asked for the meeting – their second of the season – and he met with Renault ambassador and consultant Alain Prost on Saturday night in Belgium.

"Yesterday was a conversation from their side to update me on the fact no decision has been taken – they haven't made a proposal about the board of Renault," said Mallya. "Secondly, he wanted to know how I would feel about shareholding. Would we be willing to consider being a minority. If so, what would be our aspirations.

"We didn't talk about engine supply at all. We talked generally about their interest in about potentially becoming a constructor, that they are talking to multiple teams and about what is my vision and what is possible and not possible.

"They asked me: 'Would you be prepared to part with a majority stake?' If I said no, maybe it would have been end of conversation. I said it has to be considered, in light of a potential offer, and secondly I asked what are the minority protection rights you offer?

"There is no deal on the table. They have not made a decision about their plans. It's very preliminary."

Force India's shareholding is currently split between three parties – Mallya, the Sahara group and the Mol family – and while Mallya must present an offer to the board, he is confident they would follow his recommendation.

"I have a mandate to speak for all three," he said. "But if there is a deal on the table, I have to discuss it with the board. I'm more than confident that they will follow my recommendation but we are a democratic organization, which is properly managed and things at a certain level must be a board decision."

Mallya said he was informed by Prost that Renault is talking to a number of teams, including Lotus – which has been considered the front-runner for a takeover deal, but nothing firm has been completed as talks continue.

Originally on Autosport.com