Renault, which is to lose ING as its title sponsor at the end of the season, is looking to India in its search for a replacement.

"Currently, talks are on with a major Indian multinational for sponsorship," a senior Renault official told the Press Trust of India, though refusing to give details regarding the identity of the potential sponsor.

Last week, Dutch banking giant ING confirmed that it was quitting Formula One at the end of the 2009 season as the global economic crisis continues to bite.

Software firm Tata Consultancy Services, part of India's largest and oldest conglomerates, the Tata Group, which has interests in areas such as energy, telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, chemicals, engineering, materials, government and healthcare, has a technology and marketing partnership with Ferrari which sees the TCS logos on the Maranello outfit's cars this season. However, other Indian giants that might be tempted to partner Renault include Reliance Industries, India's largest private sector conglomerate, and Infosys, one of India's largest IT companies.

As part of its attempt to woo a major name, Renault will be taking its popular F1 Roadshow to New Delhi this year. However, whereas in 2008 it was Nelson Piquet who delighted the crowds, this time around the French team aims to take its star driver, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.

"Hopefully Fernando will be in New Delhi," said the Renault official.