British reports are portraying the takeover of the Renault team as a straight fight between two groups led by David Richards and Gerard Lopez.

Indeed, the French sports newspaper L’Equipe believes F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone favours Lopez’s Mangrove/Gravity/Genii bid, and links BAR founder Craig Pollock with the role of team boss.

It is whispered that the deal could even see the Renault name remain above the team’s pit garage in 2010.

Ecclestone, however, insists there are more bidders than just Richards’ Prodrive and Lopez’s Luxembourg-based group.

“Richards is up against more than somebody,” he told the Times newspaper. There is the Gerard Lopez group, there is David Richards and then there are another two people.”

Ecclestone said he hopes a deal can be reached before Christmas.

“I don’t think there is any big rush to get something done. (But) I hope it can be done within the next ten days and before everybody breaks up for Christmas.”