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Aston Martin's Otmar Szafnauer grilled about possible Alpine move

Aston Martin Formula One principal Otmar Szafnauer said he had a long-term contract and no intention of leaving as he faced a grilling in Brazil on Friday about reports he could move to Renault-owned rivals Alpine.

Reports in France have linked the experienced paddock insider to a future restructuring of Alpine.

Silverstone-based Aston Martin, owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, have recently brought in former McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh as group chief executive, above Szafnauer.

Szafnauer took to Instagram on Thursday to say the speculation was "not based on fact" and told reporters at Interlagos that he was as surprised as anyone by the media reports.