News that Adrian Sutil was involved in a nightclub brawl with Genii’s Eric Lux, CEO of the investment firm which owns the Renault F1 team, has been confirmed by the German.
According to several sources, good friends Sutil and Lewis Hamilton attended the M1NT club in Shanghai to celebrate the McLaren drivers first win of the 2011 season.
What happened after isn’t clear, but Lux was seen leaving the club in a hasty manner with blood dripping from his neck. Reports, originating from French journalist Cedric Voisard, claim the Force India driver attacked Lux with a champagne bottle after he was approached and told to calm down.
Hamilton wasn’t involved in the altercation and was rushed from the scene by his bodyguard. Sutil shortly followed.
The Force India team refused to comment on the matter, saying it was personal, however Sutil told Bild the following: “It was after the race for the Grand Prix of China. At this event, which I visited as a private person, there was a very unfortunate action by me, in which I hurt another person completely unintentionally. I regret the incident and have apologised accordingly.”
This follows a statement from a Renault spokesperson which also confirmed the ‘incident’.
“I can confirm that there has been an incident on Sunday after the Chinese GP involving Eric Lux,” said the spokesperson. “Lotus Renault GP is however not in a position to make any comments, as it is a private matter between Eric and the other person.”
It is believed the relevant authorities are investigating the matter, but it isn’t clear whether or not the FIA are involved.