Monisha Kaltenborn has joined Sergio Marchionne in not dismissing speculation Sauber might be snapped up by Alfa Romeo. Marchionne, the Fiat Chrysler and Ferrari president, has said multiple times recently that Alfa Romeo might rekindle its historic F1 foray in the not-too-distant future.

The financially struggling Sauber team has been linked with those rumours, so when asked if an acquisition is on the cards, Marchionne said in China: "If someone will assume all the debts..."

Sauber's team boss and co-owner Kaltenborn was absent in Bahrain, reportedly amid intense negotiations with potential investors about rescuing the embattled Swiss outfit. So when asked in China about the latest rumours, she told the Swiss newspaper Blick: "Alfa Romeo would be a good partner for any team." (GMM)