Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez was in the middle of a kidnapping incident, according to reports in the French press.
Le Quotidien claims Lopez was returning from a business trip to Venezuela when he visited his 38-year-old friend Stephanie Turci in France.
Lopez was reportedly the only witness when masked men armed with silenced pistols burst into the house and dragged Turci, who is divorced, into a waiting Renault Espace.
Subsequent reports indicate Turci is safe and well, having been set free without any demand of ransom.
Lopez’s lawyer is quoted as saying: "I can only conclude that Ms Turci was the target."
French authorities are reportedly investigating the incident.